Reduced sodium food products

ABSTRACT

Naturally-derived compounds having various structures elicit the perception of salty taste, enhance the perception of salty taste of a salt, or act at one or more sodium channels. Food products may include such naturally-derived compounds, which may be used to reduce the sodium content, while imparting a similar level of saltiness.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of each of the following Provisional Patent Applications: U.S. 61/762,781, filed on Feb. 8, 2013; U.S. 61/762,792, filed on Feb. 8, 2013; U.S. 61/762,798, filed on Feb. 8, 2013; U.S. 61/762,804, filed on Feb. 8, 2013; U.S. 61/763,244, filed on Feb. 11, 2013; U.S. 61/763,274, filed on Feb. 11, 2013; and U.S. 61/763,300, filed on Feb. 11, 2013. Each of the above-referenced US Provisional patent applications is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its respective entirety to the extent that it does not conflict with the disclosure presented herein.

FIELD

This disclosure generally relates to, among other things, food products having a compound that modifies or enhances the taste of the food product, for example, the saltiness of the food product.

BACKGROUND

Sodium chloride, ordinary table salt, is the prototypical compound for eliciting the perception of salty taste. However, attempts to reduce sodium consumption have led investigators to find suitable substitutes for sodium chloride or to reduce sodium chloride amounts, without sacrificing salty taste.

Salts can elicit complex tastes, including mixtures of sweet, bitter, sour, umami, and salty perceptual components. It is believed that the cations of salts impart the perceptual taste component, while the anions, in addition to contributing to tastes of their own, modify the perception of the taste of the cations. By way of example, sodium and lithium are believed to impart only salty tastes, while potassium and other alkaline earth cations produce both salty and bitter tastes. Among the anions commonly found in foods, the chloride ion is considered to be the least inhibitory to the salty taste, while the citrate anion is more inhibitory.

Many attempts have been made to provide salty tasting compositions as a substitute for table salt which will give the same or a similar seasoning effect and which are comprised of substantially reduced quantities of sodium chloride. To this end, potassium chloride, ammonium chloride, and similar compounds have been suggested. The use of such salts, and combinations of such salts, leaves much to be desired as to taste. None of them individually or in combination positively affects other taste modalities and tastes like sodium chloride. Each alone has a disagreeable taste, as do mixtures of such salts. For example, potassium chloride has a strong aftertaste that is characterized as “bitter” by most people. Ammonium chloride also has a bitter aftertaste.

SUMMARY

This disclosure describes, among other things, compounds that elicit or enhance the perception of salty taste, or another taste associated with consumption of sodium chloride or other salts, or that interact with a receptor or ion channel associated with the perception of salty taste or another complex taste associated with consumption of sodium chloride or other salts. In embodiments, the compounds are naturally derived taste modulating compounds used as ingredients in food products to elicit or enhance perception of salty taste. In embodiments, the food products contain lower amounts of sodium than normal.

As described herein, a number of derived compounds were screened for their ability to modulate activity of a sodium channel in vitro. Many of the identified compounds were found to enhance the saltiness of a composition containing sodium chloride.

One or more embodiments of the compounds, compositions, food products or methods described herein provide one or more advantages over prior compounds, compositions, food products or methods. For example, food products that include one or more taste modulating or salty taste modulating compounds described herein may have lower sodium content relative to food products that do not include such taste modulating or salty compounds while imparting a similar level of saltiness. This and other advantages will be readily understood from the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a table that provides results of DAP score testing regarding the perception of saltiness of various combinations of compounds in sodium chloride solution.

FIG. 2 is a table that provides results of DAP score testing regarding the perception of saltiness of various combinations of compounds in combination in broth solution.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure describes, among other things, compounds that elicit or enhance the perception of salty taste or another taste associated with consumption of sodium chloride. In embodiments, the compounds are taste modulating compounds used as ingredients in food products to elicit or enhance perception of salty taste. In embodiments, the food products are food products that contain reduced amounts of sodium, while imparting a salty taste typically associated with higher amounts of sodium.

In embodiments, a food product includes (i) a taste modulating or salty taste modulating compound, or derivatives thereof, or (ii) a composition that comprises a taste modulating or salty taste modulating compound, or derivatives thereof. The taste modulating, or salty taste modulating compound may be derived from a natural product, may be synthesized, or may be isolated or purified.

As used herein, a “food product” is a food in a form that does not exist in nature. In embodiments, a food product includes at least two edible ingredients that do not exist together in nature. A “food” is a nutritious substance that animals, including humans, pets and livestock, eat or drink. A “nutritious substance” is a macronutrient such as a fat, carbohydrate or protein, or a micronutrient such as an essential or non-essential vitamin or mineral.

One or more taste modulating or salty taste modulating compounds described herein or derivatives thereof, alone or in combination, may be incorporated into a food product. The one or more compounds may elicit a perception of saltiness when the food product is consumed. In embodiments, the one or more compounds are included in a food product that contains a salt that imparts a salty taste. Preferably, at least one of the one or more compounds is a taste modulating compound or salty taste modulating compound.

In embodiments, a food product includes an ingredient, a salt that imparts a salty taste, and a taste modulating or salty taste modulating compound. The ingredient may be a nutritious ingredient; that is, an ingredient that is a nutritious substance. The taste modulating or salty taste modulating compound may be present in the food product in an amount sufficient to enhance the salty taste of the food product. In embodiments, the ingredient, the salt and the taste modulating or salty taste modulating compound are present in the food product in amounts or concentrations not found in naturally existing food products, such as bananas, peppers, avocados, wheat, or the like.

In embodiments, at least one of the one or more compounds is a salty taste modulating compound and is present in the food product in an amount or concentration sufficient to elicit or enhance the perception of saltiness. In embodiments, the one or more salty taste modulating compounds are present in the food product in an amount or concentration sufficient to elicit or enhance the perception of salty taste such that less salt may be included in the food product to elicit a similar perception of saltiness as a substantially similar food product that does not include the one or more salty taste modulating compounds. Preferably, the reduced salt food product elicits the same or a similar perception of saltiness as a substantially similar food product that does not include the one or more salty taste modulating compounds.

In embodiments, the one or more taste modulating or salty taste modulating compounds are present in a food product in an amount or concentration sufficient to elicit or enhance the perception of salty taste such that the amount of sodium may be reduced by about 10 mg or more per serving relative to a substantially similar food product that does not have the one or more taste modulating or salty taste modulating compounds while having a similar salty taste. In embodiments, the one or more taste modulating or salty taste modulating compounds are present in a food product in an amount or concentration sufficient to elicit or enhance the perception of salty taste such that the amount of sodium in a serving of a food product may be reduced to about 150 mg or less, more particularly to about 100 mg or less, more particularly to about 75 mg or less, more particularly to about 25 mg or less, more particularly to about 10 mg or less. By way of example, it may be desirable to reduce sodium by about 10 mg or more in cereals or snacks per serving relative to a substantially similar food product that does not have the one or more taste modulating or salty taste modulating compounds while having a similar salty taste. It may be desirable to reduce sodium to about 150 mg or less, more particularly to about 100 mg or less, more particularly to about 75 mg or less, more particularly to about 25 mg or less, more particularly to about 10 mg or less in cereals or snacks per serving. For cereal, a typical serving size is 50 grams. Of course, cereals may have other serving sizes.

In embodiments, the one or more taste modulating or salty taste modulating compounds are present in a food product in an amount or concentration sufficient to elicit or enhance the perception of salty taste such that the amount of sodium may be reduced by about 20 mg or more per serving relative to a substantially similar food product that does not have the one or more taste modulating or salty taste modulating compounds while having a similar salty taste. In embodiments, the one or more taste modulating or salty taste modulating compounds are present in a serving of a food product in an amount or concentration sufficient to elicit or enhance the perception of salty taste such that the amount of sodium may be reduced to about 800 mg or less, more particularly to about 500 mg or less, more particularly to about 300 mg or less, more particularly to about 100 mg or less, more particularly to about 20 mg or less. By way of example, it may be desirable to reduce sodium by about 20 mg or more in meals per serving. It may be desirable to reduce sodium to about 800 mg or less, more particularly to about 500 mg or less, more particularly to about 300 mg or less, more particularly to about 100 mg or less, more particularly to about 20 mg or less in meals per serving.

In embodiments, the one or more taste modulating or salty taste modulating compounds are present in a food product in an amount or concentration sufficient to elicit or enhance the perception of salty taste such that the amount of sodium may be reduced by about 100 mg or more per serving relative to a substantially similar food product that does not have the one or more taste modulating or salty taste modulating compounds while having a similar salty taste. In embodiments, the one or more taste modulating or salty taste modulating compounds are present in a serving of a food product in an amount or concentration sufficient to elicit or enhance the perception of salty taste such that the amount of sodium may be reduced to about 800 mg or less, more particularly to about 500 mg or less, more particularly to about 300 mg or less, more particularly to about 200 mg or less, more particularly to about 100 mg or less relative to a substantially similar food product that does not have the one or more taste modulating or salty taste modulating compounds while having a similar salty taste. By way of example, it may be desirable to reduce sodium by about 100 mg or more in soups per serving. It may be desirable to reduce sodium to about 800 mg or less, more particularly to about 500 mg or less, more particularly to about 300 mg or less, more particularly to about 200 mg or less, more particularly to about 100 mg or less in soups per serving. For soup, a typical serving size is 250 grams. Of course, soups may have other serving sizes.

Any suitable combination of compounds described herein, or derivatives thereof, may be included in a food product. In embodiments, a food product includes a combination of compounds such that the combination includes at least two structurally diverse taste modulating or salty taste modulating compounds.

A food product or composition may include one or more compounds described herein, or derivatives thereof, in any suitable concentration. By way of example, a compound described herein, or a derivate thereof, such as a taste modulating or salty taste modulating compound may be present in a food product at a concentration of about 0.01% by weight or greater, about 2% by weight or less, or from about 0.01% by weight to about 2% by weight. It will be understood that the concentration of the salt or salts in the food product may affect the desired concentration of a taste modulating or salty taste modulating compound. For example, if more salt is present, less taste modulating or salty taste modulating compound may be desired. In addition, it will be understood that the presence of more than one taste modulating or salty taste modulating compound may affect the desired concentration of other taste modulating or salty taste modulating compounds, particularly if the effects of the taste modulating or salty taste modulating compounds are additive or synergistic.

Any salt that imparts a salty taste may be present or incorporated into a food product that contains a bioactive, taste modulating, or salty taste modulating compound. The most commonly used salt for food applications is sodium chloride (typically referred to as common table salt). Other illustrative sources of sodium salts that may be present of incorporated into a food product include sodium phosphates, mono sodium glutamate, sodium nitrite, sodium nitrate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium lactate, sodium citrate, and sodium stearoyl lactylate. Similar lithium, potassium, ammonium or other alkali earth salts may be present or included in addition or as an alternative to one or more sodium salts.

In embodiments, a food product includes sodium chloride as a salt that imparts a salty taste. Sodium chloride may be present in the food product at any suitable amount or concentration. In embodiments, sodium chloride is present in the food product in an amount up to about 10.0 weight percent, more particularly, up to about 5.0 weight percent, even more particularly up to about 1.2 weight percent, or in the range of about 0.017 to about 1.2 weight percent, or about 0.1 to about 1, or about 0.4 to about 0.6 weight percent. In embodiments, a food product that includes one or more bioactive, taste modulating, or salty taste modulating compounds comprises no more than 0.04 weight percent, no more than 0.1 weight percent sodium, no more than 0.2 weight percent, no more than 0.25 weight percent sodium, no more than 0.3 weight percent, no more than 0.4 weight percent, no more than 0.5 weight percent sodium, no more than 0.75 weight percent sodium, no more than 1 weight percent sodium, no more than 5 weight percent sodium, or no more than 10 weight percent sodium. It will be understood that a desired weight percent of sodium may vary depending on the type of food product. For example, it may be desirable for a seasoning to have a higher weight percent sodium than a soup or a breakfast cereal. In embodiments, a food product that includes one or more taste modulating or salty taste modulating compounds comprises no more than 100 mg sodium per serving, no more than 250 mg sodium per serving, no more than 500 mg sodium per serving.

One or more taste modulating or salty taste modulating compounds may be utilized in connection with virtually any food product for which it is desired to elicit or enhance the perception of a salty taste or other taste associated with consumption of a salt. The taste modulating or salty taste modulating compounds can find application for imparting saltiness to beverages or food dishes or as an ingredient in snack foods or other food products in which saltiness is desired.

Examples of food products that may incorporate one or more taste modulating or salty taste modulating compound include a confectionery, a gum, a bakery product, an ice cream, a dairy product, a fruit snack, a chip or crisp, an extruded snack, a tortilla chip or corn chip, a popcorn, a pretzel, a nut, a snack bar, a meal replacement, a ready meal, a soup, a pasta, a canned food, a frozen processed food, a dried processed food, an instant noodle, a chilled processed food, an oil or fat, a sauce dressing or condiment, a dip, a pickled product, a seasoning, a baby food, a spread, a chip or a crisp such as chips or crisps comprising potato, corn, rice, vegetable (including raw, pickled, cooked and dried vegetables), a fruit, a grain, a soup, a seasoning, a baked product such as a ready-to-eat breakfast cereal, hot cereal or dough, an ice cream such as a frozen yogurt, a dairy products such as a yogurt or cheese, ready meal, a soup, a pasta, a canned food, a frozen processed food, a dried processed food, an instant noodle, or a chilled processed food, a beverage including beverages that include fiber or protein a meat or a meat substitute, a pet food, an animal product, a medical food, a nutritional supplement, a vitamin supplement, and an infant formula product.

In embodiments, one or more bioactive, taste modulating, or salty taste modulating compounds are incorporated into a medicinal or pharmaceutical product, or the like.

In embodiments, a food product is a processed food product. Food processing includes the transformation of raw ingredients into food or transforming forms of food into other forms of food. Food processing often includes using harvested crops or animal products to produce marketable products sold to consumers at stores, restaurants and the like. Processed food products include products for which additional processing by a consumer occurs after purchase but prior to consumption (e.g., heating, cooking, baking, or the like).

Particularly suitable food products including soup, meal kits, grain products such as ready-to-eat cereals, snacks, bars and baked dough, and dairy products such as ice cream, yogurt and cheese. In some aspects, a bioactive, taste modulating, or salty taste modulating compound is used to reduce the amount of sodium salt that is typically included in soups, including (but not limited to) chicken or poultry broth, chicken- or poultry-based soups (such as chicken noodle soup), tomato-based soups, and the like. In some aspects, a taste modulating or salty taste modulating compound is used to reduce sodium salt in meal kits, such as kits that include ingredients to be combined with meat to prepare a meal. Such meal kits can include dried components (such as noodles, rice, dried potatoes, or the like) and seasoning packages. In some aspects, a taste modulating or salty taste modulating compound is used to reduce the sodium chloride that is typically added to a snack food to enhance its flavor. Exemplary snack foods include potato chips, corn chips, pretzels, fruit-type snacks, and snack mixes including any mixes of any of these foods with other ingredients (such as cereals).

In some aspects, a taste modulating or salty taste modulating compound is used to reduce the amount of sodium salt that is typically included in a ready-to-eat cereal or other grain-based food products, such as dough, baked goods, grain snacks, grain bars, or the like. In some aspects, a taste modulating or salty taste modulating compound is used to reduce the amount of sodium salt that is typically included in dairy-based food products, such as fresh or frozen dairy products, which may include yogurt, ice cream, or the like. In some aspects, a taste modulating or salty taste modulating compound is used to reduce the amount of sodium salt that is typically included in packaged meal food products, such as packaged meals that contain rice, potatoes, or vegetables, dry packaged meals, frozen packaged meals, or the like.

For the purposes of the present disclosure “grain” includes grain and pseudograin. Examples of food grains include corn; sorghum; fonio; millet such as pearl millet, proso millet, finger millet, foxtail millet, Japanese millet, kodo millet and the like; Job's tears; wheat; rice; rye; barley; oat; triticale; wild rice; teff; amaranth; quinoa; buckwheat; and the like.

A taste modulating or salty taste modulating compound can also be used in connection with soup, broth, sauce (such as basting sauce), various seasoning sauces, ketchup, dressings, and other like foods.

In embodiments, a food product into which a taste modulating or salty taste modulating compound or composition is included has a water content of about 30% or more by weight. For example, the food product may have a water content of about 35% or more, or about 40% or more by weight. Non-limiting examples of food products that typically have water contents of about 30% or more by weight include soups, beverages, batters and dough.

In embodiments, a food product into which a taste modulating or salty taste modulating compound or composition is included has a water content of about 50% or more by weight. For example, the food product may have a water content of about 60% or more, or about 70% or more by weight. Non-limiting examples of food products that typically have water contents of about 50% or more by weight include soups and beverages. For example, a soup containing a taste modulating or salty taste modulating compound or composition may contain from about 50% water by weight to about 90% water by weight.

In embodiments, a food product into which a taste modulating or salty taste modulating composition is included has a water content of about 20% or less by weight. For example, the food product may be incorporated into dry food products that having low water contents. In embodiments, a taste modulating or salty taste modulating food product is included in a dried for as a seasoning. In embodiments, the seasoning comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of one or more taste modulating or salty taste modulating compounds, one or more carriers, and one or more salts.

A taste modulating or salty taste modulating compound can be employed to elicit the perception of salty taste or enhance the perceived salt taste of any salts used in food or beverage products. The preferred salt taste to be elicited or enhanced by the salty compounds is that of sodium chloride.

Moreover, a taste modulating or salty taste modulating compound described herein can be used to elicit or enhance the perceived salt taste of known salty tasting compounds that may be used as salt substitutes. Such compounds include amino acids such as cationic amino acids and low molecular weight peptides such as dipeptides and tripeptides. Specific examples of these compounds include arginine hydrochloride, lysine hydrochloride, and lysine-omithine hydrochloride. These compounds exhibit a salty taste but are typically useful only at low concentrations since they exhibit a bitter flavor at higher concentrations. Ordinarily, these salt-tasting compounds will be used in concentrations in the range of about 1 to about 40 mM, or about 10 to about 30 mM. Thus, it is feasible to reduce the sodium chloride content of a food or beverage product by first formulating a food or beverage with less sodium chloride than is necessary to achieve a desired salt taste and then adding to the food or beverage a taste modulating or salty taste modulating compound described herein in an amount sufficient to enhance the salt taste of the salted food or beverage to reach the desired taste. In addition, sodium chloride content may be further reduced by substituting a salt-tasting cationic amino acid, a low molecular eight dipeptide, or mixtures thereof, for at least a portion of the salt.

In embodiments, a method includes setting a target salty taste of a food product, including an amount of a salt that imparts a salty taste in the food product, where the amount of the salt does not achieve the target level of salty taste, and including an amount of a salty taste enhancing compound (or more than one salty taste enhancing compounds) to achieve the desired salty taste.

In embodiments, a method includes setting a target salty taste of a food product, including an amount of a salty-taste imparting sodium salt in the food product that does not achieve the target level of salty taste, including an amount of a non-sodium salt that imparts a salty taste and an amount of a salty taste enhancing compound (or more than one salty taste enhancing compounds) to achieve the desired salty taste.

Processing

A taste modulating or salty taste modulating compound, or derivative thereof, described herein can be added to food products in dry or liquid form. For example, a taste modulating or salty taste modulating compound that is in the liquid form can be prepared by simply dissolving or suspending the compound in an appropriate relative amount in an aqueous liquid. Useful aqueous liquids include water, alcohol-water mixtures, triacetin, propylene glycol, and triglycerides and other known organic solvents. Depending upon the concentration of the taste modulating or salty taste modulating compound, it can be desirable to heat the mixture to dissolve the compound.

Taste modulating or salty taste modulating compounds that exist in a dry state, such as powders or granules, can be prepared by either mixing or blending the compounds with other components in the dry state. The dry blending or mixing can be carried out in any conventional suitable apparatus. In some aspects, the taste modulating or salty taste modulating compounds described herein can be prepared into dry compositions by commonly used methods of granulation from mixtures of the several ingredients, preferably initially conveniently smaller than forty mesh.

Such starting mixtures can be wetted in known manner, granulated, and their granulations dried as usual and screened to give a product approximately the typical size of common table salt, for example, by taking the fraction passing through the thirty mesh screen and retained on the forty mesh screen.

Taste modulating or salty taste modulating compounds that exist in a dry composition state can be alternatively prepared by first forming a solution, emulsion or suspension of the compounds and other individual components, and then extruding or drying the solution or suspension. The preparation of the solution or suspension of the components can be carried out as described above in the context of preparing the liquid flavoring agents. The thus-prepared solution, emulsion or suspension can then be dried using any conventional suitable apparatus, such as a rotary drier, a drum drier, or a fluidized bed drier or spray drier.

Taste modulating or salty taste modulating compounds described herein can be prepared by thoroughly mixing the compounds with other components in the indicated proportions until a suitably mixed (for example, homogeneous) product is attained.

Compositions or formulations containing the taste modulating or salty taste modulating compounds can then be combined with a food product.

Perception of Saltiness

In embodiments, a composition that includes a salty taste modulating compound is perceived as imparting a quantity of saltiness equal to a substantially similar composition that does not include the salty taste modulating compound but that has a higher concentration of the salt. Preferably, the composition that includes the salty taste modulating compound imparts a perception of saltiness equal to the substantially similar composition that does not have the salty taste modulating compound when the composition has less salt than the substantially similar composition (e.g., salt reduced by about 1% or more). For example, the composition that includes the salty taste modulating compound may impart a perception of saltiness equal to the substantially similar composition that does not have the salty compound when the composition that includes the salty taste modulating compound has a salt concentration reduced by about 2% or more, about 5% or more, about 7% or more, about 8% or more, about 9% or more, about 10% or more, about 11% or more, about 15% or more, about 20% or more, about 30% or more, about 35% or more, about 40% or more, or about 50% or more, relative to the substantially similar composition. In embodiments, one or more salty taste modulating compounds may be present in a food product in an amount sufficient to reduce the amount of a salt, such as sodium chloride, by about 1% or more, about 2% or more, about 5% or more, about 7% or more, about 8% or more, about 10% or more, about 11% or more, about 12% or more, about 15% or more, about 20% or more, about 22% or more, about 25% or more, about 30% or more, about 35% or more, about 40% or more, about 45% or more, about 50% or more, about 55% or more, about 60% or more, about 65% or more, about 70% or more, about 75% or more, about 80% or more, about 85% or more, about 90% or more, about 95% or more, or the like. Preferably, the reduced salt food product elicits the same or similar perception of saltiness as a substantially similar food product that does not include the one or more salty taste modulating compounds.

Perception of saltiness may be evaluated in any suitable manner. In embodiments, saltiness is determined by a trained analytical sensory panel. In embodiments, the trained sensory panel determines the saltiness of a composition having a salty taste modulating compound relative to a substantially similar composition having increased sodium chloride content.

Sensory panelists may be trained in any suitable manner. Preferably, the panelists are trained to discern salty taste or other attributes without reference to liking or acceptability. The panelists are also preferably trained to accurately quantify salty taste or other attributes according to an intensity scale. General information that may be helpful in understanding beneficial training protocols can be found in, for example, Sensory Evaluation Techniques, 4^(th) Ed by Meilgaard M., Civille G. V. and Carr B. T (2007), CRC Press, pages 147-152. Prescreening, selection, and training of panelists may be occur as described in one or more standards, such as Hootman R C, Manual 13 MNL13 Manual on Descriptive Analysis Testing for Sensory Evaluation, ASTM (1992); STP758 Guidelines for the Selection and Training of Sensory Panel Members, ASTM (1981); and Munoz A. M and Civille, G. V., MLN13: The Spectrum Descriptive Analysis Method, ASTM (1992). Preferably panelists are trained according to the Spectrum Method (Munoz A. M and Civille, G. V., MLN13: The Spectrum Descriptive Analysis Method, ASTM 1992).

Preferably, average scores regarding saltiness from more than one panelist trained to discern salty taste or other attributes using the same training are considered in determining whether a reduced salt food product elicits the same or similar perception of saltiness as a substantially similar food product that does not include the one or more salty taste modulating compounds. For example, a panel may contain three or more trained panelists, 5 or more trained panelists, 7 or more trained panelists, 10 or more trained panelists, or the like.

A taste modulating or a salty taste modulating compound may be a compound that directly acts to elicit or enhance the perception of salty taste of a salt or may be a compound that is converted, when ingested, into a compound that directly acts to elicit enhance the perception of salty taste of the salt.

Taste Modulating, and Salty Taste Modulating Compounds

A variety of naturally-derived compounds were tested in vitro for their ability to activate or facilitate activation of a TrpML3 channel, a TrpV1 channel or an ENaC channel.

The TrpML3 (transient receptor potential cation channel, mucolipin subfamily, member 3) channel, also known as Mucolipin-3 is a protein that, in humans, is encoded by the MCOLN3 gene. The TrpV1 (transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1) channel, also known as the capsaicin receptor and the vanilloid receptor 1, is a protein that, in humans, is encoded by the TrpV1 gene. The ENaC (epithelial sodium channel), also known as sodium channel non-neuronal 1 (SCNN1) or amiloride sensitive sodium channel (ASSC) is a membrane-bound ion-channel that is permeable for Li+-ions, protons and especially Na+-ions.

Any compound that interacts with one or more of the TrpML3 channel, the TrpV1 channel and the ENaC channel may be useful for modulating taste or saltiness of a food product into which the compound is incorporated.

It is estimated that natural products, extracts, and isolated compounds that collectively contained about 2,000,000 potential taste modulating or salty taste modulating compounds were tested for sodium channel activity. About 600 of the 2,000,000 compounds had some level of sodium channel activity. About 300 of the 600 compounds had an increased threshold level of activity. Further analysis, including structure based toxicological analysis, resulted in 99 initial compounds being selected as candidates for taste modulating or salty taste modulating compounds. Presented herein are naturally-derived compounds and compound classes that have been identified as acting at one or more of these channels, or that otherwise may function as bioactive, taste modulating, or salty taste modulating compounds.

A listing of the 99 initially selected compounds (Cmpd), as well as the common names (where known), Chemical Abstract Service (CAS) Registry numbers where known (CAS-RN), Sources/Taxons (where known) from which the compounds were isolated (Source/Taxon) and common name of the sources (Common Name), is presented in Table 1 below. The structures of the compounds are also presented herein. To the extent the structures conflict with other information provided, the structures of the 99 initially selected compounds should be considered determinative.

TABLE 1 Information regarding initially selected compounds Cmpd CAS-RN Common name Source/Taxon Common Name  1 104264-55-3 12-Gingerol Zingiber officinalis Ginger  2 36752-54-2 [10]-Shogaol Zingiber officinalis Ginger  3 143615-75-2 [6]-Gingerdiacetate Zingiber officinalis Ginger  4 555-66-8 6-Shogaol Aframomum meleguata, Grains of paradise; Zingiber officinalis Ginger  5 39886-76-5 [6]-Gingerol Zingiber officinalis Ginger  6 53172-04-6 [7]-Paradol Aframomum meleguata, Grains of paradise; Zingiber officinalis Ginger  7 27113-22-0 [6]-Paradol or Aframomum meleguata, Grains of paradise; [6]-Gingerone Zingiber officinalis Ginger  8 626200-64-4 5-methoxy-[6]- Aframomum meleguata, Grains of paradise; Gingerol Zingiber officinalis Ginger  9 23513-08-8 8-Gingerol Zingiber officinalis Ginger 10 1083195-12-3 a pentadecatrienyl-1,3- Embelia ribes False Black benzenediol Pepper, white- flowered Embelia 11 79559-60-7 a 1-Ph-4-hepten-3-one Kaempferia galanga Kencur, aromatic ginger, sand ginger, cutcherry, resurrection lily 12 79559-61-8 a 1-Ph-5-OH-3- Kaempferia galanga Kencur, aromatic heptanone ginger, sand ginger, cutcherry, resurrection lily 13 205687-01-0 Capsiate Capsiate 14 147030-09-9 Pipersintenamide Piper longum Long pepper, Indian long pepper 15 55038-30-7 Guineensine Piper longum Long pepper, Indian long pepper 16 182056-19-5 Evodia rutaecarpa Evodia fruit 17 15266-38-3 Evocarpine Evodia rutaecarpa Evodia fruit 18 94-62-2 Piperine Piper longum Long pepper, Indian long pepper 19 52483-20-2 Irisresorcinol Ardisia silvestris 20 79559-61-8 a 1-Ph-5-OH-3- Alpinia officinarum Lesser galangal heptanone (ginger family) 21 19408-84-5 Dihydrocapsaicin Capsicum annuum Serrano pepper 22 30511-77-4 Isochavicine Piper longum, Long pepper, Piper nigrum Indian long pepper; black pepper 23 517-73-7 Melicopicine Teclea trichocarpa 24 Zanthoxylum esquirolii 25 41303-25-7 O-Methylglycosolone Zanthoxylum esquirolii 26 5307-59-5 Robustic acid Derris robusta 27 84-99-1 Xanthoxyletin Toddalia asiatica; Orange climber Millettia pulchra 28 4335-12-0 Toddaculin Toddalia asiatica Orange climber 29 351427-18-4 Vitetrifolin D Vitex agnus Vitex, Chaste Tree, Chasteberry, Abraham's Balm, Monk's Pepper 30 61263-52-3 Vitex agnus Vitex, Chaste Tree, Chasteberry, Abraham's Balm, Monk's Pepper 31 465-92-9 Marrubin Marrubium vulgare White Horehound, Common Horehound 32 238088-78-3 Orthosiphol I Orthosiphon stamineus Cat whiskers 33 345905-36-4 Orthosiphol M Orthosiphon stamineus Cat whiskers 34 254896-53-2 Aesculioside A Aesculus hippocastaneum Horse-chestnut, conker tree 35 Gleditschia australis Locust tree 36 1383715-41-0 Pithecoctenium echinatum Monkey comb 37 Yucca gloriosa Spanish dagger 38 Nephelium cuspidatum Bayong 39 20874-52-6 Saikosaponin D Bupleurum falcatum Chinese throroughwax; Sickle hare's ear 40 1217879-76-9 a 3- Salvia miltiorrhiza Red sage, Chinese benzofurancarboxylic sage, tan shen, or ester danshen 41 27994-11-2 Cimigoside; b-D- Cimicifuga racemosa Black cohosh, Xylopyranoside black bugbane, black snakeroot, fairy candle 42 4373-41-5 Maslinic acid, Alchemilla xanthochlora Lady's Mantle Crategolic acid 43 77-52-1 Ursolic acid Lavandula officinalis Lavender, English lavender, common lavender, true lavender, narrow- leaved lavender 44 58546-54-6 Schizandrol B; Schisandra chinensis Five flavor berry Gomisin A 45 61281-38-7 Schisandrin A, Schisandra chinensis Five flavor berry Deoxyschizandrin 46 61281-37-6 Schizandrin B Schisandra chinensis Five flavor berry 47 102036-29-3 Protosappanin B 48 129102-89-2 Secoisolariciresinol; Angelica archangelica Garden Angelica, Secoisolariciresin-4-yl Holy Ghost, Wild b-D-glucopyranoside Celery, Norwegian angelica 49 66322-34-7 Dihydrogualaretic acid Schisandra chinensis Five flavor berry 50 193816-85-2 Epicalyxin C Alpinia katsumadai Greater galangal 51 181490-70-0 Icariin Angelica sinensis dong quai or female ginseng 52 446030-43-9 Myrrhanone B Commiphora mukul Guggul, Indian Bdellium 53 936499-55-7 Brevifolin Zanthoxylum piperitum Japanese pepper, Japanese pricklyash 54 1083202-45-2 Fungus Strain code: 01469fxxx000005 55 Erythrina variegata Tiger's claw or Indian coral tree 56 155485-76-0 Senecrassidiol Psidium guajava Apple guava or common guava 57 84-26-4 Rutaecarpine Evodia rutaecarpa Evodia fruit 58 992-20-1 Salannin Azadirachta indica Neem, Nimtree and Indian Lilac 59 69222-20-4 Isoanthricin Podophyllum peltatum May Apple, hogapple, Indian apple, mayflower, umbrella plant, wild mandrake, American mandrake 60 850494-43-8 Mammea A/AD cyclo F Mesua ferrea Ceylon ironwood, Indian rose chestnut, or Cobra's saffron 61 7282-19-1 Atanine Zanthoxylum piperitum Japanese pepper, Japanese pricklyash 62 484-20-8 Bergapten Petroselinum stativum Parsley 63 133164-11-1 Prangol Petroselinum stativum Parsley 64 482-44-0 Imperatorin Petroselinum stativum Parsley 65 2543-94-4 Phellopterin Petroselinum stativum Parsley 66 497226-80-9 terpenoid coumarins Ferula assa-foetida Giant fennel, asant, food of the gods, jowani badian, stinking gum, Devil's dung 67 484-33-3 Pongamol Millettia pulchra 68 artificial 69 1176891-50-1 Sakisacaulon A Lichen 70 1268481-32-8 Chalepin 71 1092383-76-0 Rutamarin 72 13164-03-9 Halepensin 73 143-62-4 Digitoxigenin Xysmalobium undulatum Uzara 74 26241-51-0 Azadiradione Azadirachta indica Neem, Nimtree, Indian Lilac 75 95975-55-6 (Z)-Guggulsterone Commiphora mukul Guggul, Indian Bdellium 76 1941-73-7 Apobioside Apocynum cannabinum Dogbane, Amy Root, Hemp Dogbane, Indian Hemp, Rheumatism Root, Wild Cotton 77 3751-87-9 Apocannoside Apocynum cannabinum Dogbane, Amy Root, Hemp Dogbane, Indian Hemp, Rheumatism Root, Wild Cotton 78 86894-26-0 Hebelomic acid A Hebeloma senescens mushroom methyl ester 79 2221-82-1 β-Cyclocostunolide Critonia morifolia 80a 546-43-0 Alantolactone Inula helenium Elecampane, horse- heal, marchalan 80b 470-17-7 Isoalantolactone Inula helenium Elecampane, horse- heal, marchalan 81 a 2-octenyl-3- Fungus Strain code hydroxy-1,5- 02295fxxx000001 pentanedioic acid 82 83797-45-9 16-Heptadecene-1,2,4- Persea gratissima Avocado triol; Avocadene 83 1356361-43-7 16-Heptadecene-1,2,4- Persea gratissima Avocado triol, 1,4-diacetate 84 16423-52-2 N-Decyl acetamide Bacteria Strain code 0172axxx000002 85 21402-68-6 9-hydroxy-10,12,15- Marrubium vulgare White Horehound, Octadecatrienoic acid Common Horehound 86 167936-49-4 12-hydroxy-9,13,15- Petroselinum stativum Parsley Octadecatrienoic acid 87 Ricinus communis Castor oil plant 88 15514-85-9 Dimorphecolic acid Podophyllum peltatum May Apple, hogapple, Indian apple, mayflower, umbrella plant, wild mandrake, American mandrake 89 463-40-1 Linolenic acid Mesua ferrea Ceylon ironwood, Indian rose chestnut, Cobra's saffron 90 35949-86-1 Gingerglycolipid C Zingiber officinalis Ginger 91 187218-23-1 Capsianoside E Capsicum annuum Serrano pepper 92 131580-15-9 Capsianoside D Capsicum annuum Serrano pepper 93 22338-69-8 Grandifloric acid Aralia cordata, Spikenard, udo Espeletia spp. 94 6619-97-2 Xylopic acid Xylopia aethiopica Bitterwood 95 32381-03-6 Angeloylgrandifloric Sideritis hirsuta Hairy ironwort acid 96 482-00-8 Lanceolatin B 97 101140-06-1 Biapigenin Fagopyrum esculentum, Hypericum perforatum 98 64125-32-2 Millettia pulchra 99 36640-12-7 Lichen

Compounds 12 and 20 are the same compound isolated from different sources.

The CAS registry numbers presented in Table 1 above reflect a compound or an isomer thereof. It will be understood that other isomers may have other CAS registry numbers. Further, the structures presented herein, to the extent that they show stereochemistry may not match the particular isomer of the CAS registry number presented in Table 1.

Those compounds for which no CAS registry numbers are provided in Table 1, as well as those for which registry numbers are provided, may be isolated or purified in any suitable manner. For example, the natural source of the compound, which is presented in Table 1, may be fractionated and the fractions subjected to chromatography, such as gas chromatography or HPLC, or other suitable separation process to isolate or purify the compound. The selection of, for example, a chromatography column and parameters can be readily identified based on the chemical structure of the compound. To facilitate isolation or purification or for verification, obtained fractions, subfractions, or individual compounds may be tested for ability to activate a sodium channel, for example, expressed in cells in culture, cell membrane, or the like and employing an appropriate assay, such as an electrophysiological assay, a colorimetric assay, or the like.

Alternatively or in addition, the compounds listed in Table 1 may be synthesized. Alternatively or in addition, companies that have access to the appropriate natural sources or the ability to test for sodium channel activity may be contracted to isolate the compounds. Companies that have access to natural products or natural product libraries that may include sources presented in Table 1 or that have expertise in development of assays for identification of compounds or fractions containing compounds capable of activating a sodium channel include Biotechnology Research And Information Network AG (Zwingengerg, Germany); AnalytiCon Discovery, GmbH (Potsdam, Germany); Albany Molecular Research, Inc. (Albany, N.Y., USA); Axxam SpA (Milan, Italy); Boulder BioPharmaceuticals, LLC, Boulder, Colo.; ChromaDex (Irvine, Calif., USA); Enzo Life Sciences, Inc. (Farmingdale, N.Y., USA); IMD Natural Solutions GmbH (Dortmund, Germany); TimTec LLC (Newark, Del., USA); and The Natural Products Discovery Institute (Doylestown, Pa., USA).

The structures of the initially selected compounds are as follows:

Presented below are chemical compound structures based on groupings of structural relationships of the 99 initially selected compounds. The compounds are grouped into 21 categories (A through U) containing one or more of the 99 initially selected compounds. Within some categories, sub-categories are described.

In some instances, a compound may be in more than one category due to its structural similarity to compounds in more than one category. It will be understood that structural similarities of the various compounds other than those presented herein exist and that groupings into categories other than those presented herein are possible and contemplated.

Each of the 22 categories of compounds presented herein is discussed independently. That is, discussion of substituents with regard to one category should not be construed to limit discussion of substituents with regard to another category. For example, R¹ for the group A compounds is independently defined relative to R¹ for the group B compounds. In addition, discussion of substituents with regard to subgroups is independently defined. For example, R¹ for the group J1 compounds is independently defined relative to R¹ for the group J2 compounds, unless otherwise stated.

Group A Compounds

In embodiments, a bioactive, taste modulating, or salty taste modulating compound is a compound having the following structure:

-   -   where:         -   R¹ is H or C₁-C₁₀ alkyl;         -   R² is H or C₁-C₃ alkyl;         -   X is CHOR³ or C═O;         -   R³ is H, C₁-C₃ alkyl, or

-   -   -   R⁴ is H or C₁-C₃ alkyl;         -   Y is CR⁵═CH or CHR⁵—CH₂;         -   R⁵ is H, OH, —OCH₃, —OCH₂CH₃, —O—OCH₂CH₂CH₃, or

-   -   -    and         -   R⁶ is H or C₁-C₃ alkyl.

In embodiments, R¹ is C₂-C₈ alkyl. In embodiments, R² is H. In embodiments, X is C═O or

where R⁴ is CH₃. In embodiments, when Y is CR⁵═CH, R⁵ is H. In embodiments, when Y is CHR⁵—CH₂, R⁵ is OH or —OCH₃. In embodiments, R⁶ is CH₃.

Group B Compounds

Group B1 Compounds

In embodiments, a bioactive, taste modulating, or salty taste modulating compound is a compound having the following structure:

where:

-   -   R¹ and R² are each independently OH or C₁-C₃ alkoxy or where R¹         and R² together with the carbons to which they are bound form a         five-membered ring having two oxygen heteroatoms to form a         compound having the following structure

-   -    and     -   R³ is

Group B2 Compounds

In embodiments, a bioactive, taste modulating, or salty taste modulating compound is a compound having the following structure:

where R¹ is C₁₀-C₁₅ alkyl or alkenyl.

Group B3 Compounds

In embodiments, a bioactive, taste modulating, or salty taste modulating compound is a compound having the following structure:

where:

-   -   R¹ and R² are each independently OH or C₁-C₃ alkoxy, and     -   R³ is selected from the group consisting of     -   (i) C₁₀-C₂₀ unsubstituted straight or branched chain alkenyl         with one or more double bonds; and     -   (ii)

-   -    where X, Y and Z are independently CH, CH₂, CO or CHOR⁵ where         R⁵ is H or C₁-C₃ alkyl, provided that if one of X or Y are CH         then Z is also CH, and where R⁴ is C₁-C₈ straight or branched         chain unsubstituted alkyl or

-   -    where n is 1-5, provided that if R⁴ is C₁-C₈ straight or         branched chain alkyl, then Y is CHOR⁵ where R⁵ is C₁-C₃ alkyl.

In embodiments, R¹ and R² are OH. In such embodiments, R¹ may be substituted at the 5 position, R² may be substituted at the 3 position, and R³ may be substituted at the 1 position.

In embodiments, R³ is C₁₀-C₂₀ unsubstituted straight or branched chain alkenyl with one or more double bonds. In such embodiments, R³ may be C₁₂-C₁₈ unsubstituted straight or branched chain alkenyl. For example, R³ may be C₁₃-C₁₇ unsubstituted straight or branched chain alkenyl, such as C₁₅ unsubstituted straight or branched chain alkenyl. In embodiments, R³ has 1-5 double bonds. For example, R³ may have 1-4 double bonds, such as 1-3 double bonds. In embodiments, R³ is a straight chain alkenyl. By way of example, R³ may be

In embodiments, R¹ is C₁-C₃ alkoxy, such as methoxy, and R² is OH. In such embodiments, R¹ may be substituted at the 3 position, R² may substituted at the 4 position, and R³ may substituted at the 1 position.

In embodiments, R³ is

In such embodiments, R⁴ may be

In embodiments, n is 2. In embodiments, Z is CH or CH₂, X and Z are each independently CH or CH₂, depending on whether Z is CH or CH₂. In embodiments, X is CHOR⁵. R⁵ may be H. In embodiments, Y is CO. In embodiments, X is CO. By way of example, R³ may be

In embodiments, Y is CHOR⁵. R⁵ may be C₁-C₃ alkyl. For example, R⁵ may be methyl. In some embodiments, where Y is CHOR⁵, R⁴ is C₁-C₈ straight or branched chain alkyl. For example, R⁴ may be C₄-C₆ straight or branched chain alkyl, such as C₅ straight or branched chain alkyl. IN embodiments, R⁴ is a straight chain alkyl.

In embodiments, R³ is

In embodiments, R³ is selected from the group consisting of:

Group B4 Compounds

In embodiments, a bioactive, taste modulating, or salty taste modulating compound is a compound having the following structure:

-   -   A and B are each independently NCH₃ or C(O), with the proviso         that one of A and B is NCH₃ and the other of A and B is C(O);         and     -   R₁ and R₂ are independently selected from H or C₈-C₁₆         unsaturated alkyl, with the proviso that if one of R₁ and R₂ is         H, then the other of R₁ and R₂ is C₈-C₁₆ unsaturated alkyl.

In embodiments, R₁ and R₂ are independently selected from H or C₈-C₁₆ unsaturated alkyl, wherein the C₈-C₁₆ unsaturated alkyl contains 1 to 3 double bonds. In embodiments, R₁ and R₂ are independently selected from H or C₈-C₁₆ unsaturated alkyl, wherein the C₈-C₁₆ unsaturated alkyl contains only 1 double bond.

In embodiments, B is NCH₃ and R₂ is C₈-C₁₆ unsaturated alkyl.

In embodiments, R₁ and R₂ are independently selected from H or C₁-C₁₅ unsaturated alkyl, such as C₁₃ unsaturated alkyl.

Group C Compounds

In embodiments, a bioactive, taste modulating, or salty taste modulating compound is a compound having the following structure:

where:

-   -   X is C or N;     -   R¹ is H, OH, C₁-C₃ alkoxy, or C₁-C₆ alkyl;     -   R² and R³ are each independently selected from H; OH; C₁-C₃         alkoxy; straight or branched chain, saturated or unsaturated         C₁-C₆ alkyl or alkenyl; or R¹ and R² together with the carbons         to which they are bound form a part of a five or six membered         ring structure;     -   R⁴ is H or C₁-C₃ alkyl;     -   R⁵ is H, OH, C₁-C₃ alkoxy or C₁-C₃ alkyl;     -   A and B are each independently selected from CH, C═O, C-benzyl         methoxy, C—CH₂—R⁶ or C—C(O)R⁶ where R⁶ is straight or branched         chain, saturated or unsaturated C₁-C₆ alkyl, or A and B together         are part of an aromatic six-membered ring structure sharing a         side with the remainder of the structure of Formula (C); and     -   Y is O, CH, C═O, or C—O—R⁷, where R⁷ is H or C₁-C₃ alkyl.

In embodiments, when X is N, R⁵ is C₁-C₃ alkyl, such as methyl. In embodiments, when X is N, Y is C═O or C—O—R⁷, such as C—O-Me. In embodiments when X is C, R⁵ is H or OH. In embodiments when X is C, Y is O. In embodiments, R¹ is H or methoxy. In embodiments, one of A or B is C═O and the other is H, C-benzyl methoxy, C—CH₂CHC(CH₃)₂ or C—C(O)CHC(CH₃)_(2.)

In embodiments, R² and R³ together with the carbons to which they are bound form a part of a six membered ring structure. In embodiments, the six membered ring structure includes an oxygen or nitrogen heteroatom. In embodiments, the six membered ring structure contains one or more carbon atoms substituted with one or more C₁-C₆ alkyl, such as methyl. In embodiments, one carbon atom of the ring structure is substituted with two methyl groups. In embodiments, the ring structure is an unsubstituted six carbon aromatic ring structure.

In embodiments, a compound according to Formula (C) has the following structure:

where A, B, X, Y, R¹, R⁴ and R⁵ are as described above for Formula (C).

In embodiments, a compound according to Formula (C) has the following structure:

where:

-   -   R¹, R² and R³ are each independently H, OH or C₁-C₃ alkoxy;     -   R⁴ and R⁵ are each independently H or C₁-C₃ alkyl;     -   Y is C═O or C—O—R⁷, where R⁷ is H or C₁-C₃ alkyl; and     -   A is C—CH₂—R⁶ or C—C(O)R⁶ where R⁶ is straight or branched         chain, saturated or partially unsaturated C₁-C₆ alkyl, B is C═O,         or A and B together are part of an aromatic six-carbon membered         ring structure sharing a side with the remainder of the         structure of Formula (C″).

In embodiments of a compound according to Formula (C″), R¹, R² and R³ are H.

In embodiments, A is C—CH₂—R⁶ or C—C(O)R⁶ where R⁶ is straight or branched chain, saturated or partially unsaturated C₁-C₆ alkyl and B is C═O.

In embodiments, R¹, R² and R³ are each independently OH or C₁-C₃ alkoxy. In some embodiments, R¹, R² and R³ are the same.

In embodiments, A and B together are part of an aromatic six-carbon membered unsubstituted ring structure.

In embodiments, a compound according to Formula (C) has the following structure:

where:

-   -   R¹, R² and R³ are each independently H, OH or C₁-C₃ alkoxy;     -   R⁴ and R⁵ are each independently H or C₁-C₃ alkyl;     -   Y is C═O or C—O—R⁷, where R⁷ is H or C₁-C₃ alkyl; and     -   A is C—CH₂—R⁶ or C—C(O)R⁶ where R⁶ is straight or branched         chain, saturated or partially unsaturated C₁-C₆ alkyl, B is C═O,         or A and B together are part of an aromatic six-carbon membered         ring structure sharing a side with the remainder of the         structure of Formula (C″).

In embodiments of a compound according to Formula (C″), R¹, R² and R³ are H. In embodiments, A is C—CH₂—R⁶ or C—C(O)R⁶ where R⁶ is straight or branched chain, saturated or partially unsaturated C₁-C₆ alkyl and B is C═O. In embodiments, R¹, R² and R³ are each independently OH or C₁-C₃ alkoxy. In embodiments, R¹, R² and R³ are the same. In embodiments, A and B together are part of an aromatic six-carbon membered unsubstituted ring structure.

In embodiments, a compound according to Formula (C) has the following structure:

where:

-   -   X is N;     -   R¹ is H or C₁-C₃ alkyl;     -   R² and R³ are each independently selected from H and straight or         branched chain, saturated or unsaturated C₁-C₃ alkyl or alkenyl;     -   R⁴ is H or C₁-C₃ alkyl;     -   R⁵ is H or C₁-C₃ alkyl;     -   A and B are each independently selected from C═O and C—C(O)R⁶         where R⁶ is straight or branched chain, saturated or partially         unsaturated C₁-C₆ alkyl; and     -   Y is C—O—R⁷, where R⁷ is H or C₁-C₃ alkyl.

In embodiments of a compound according to Formula (C″″), one or more of R¹, R² and R³ are H. In embodiments, each of R¹, R² and R³ are H. In embodiments, R⁴ and R⁵ are independently C₁-C₃ alkyl. In embodiments, R⁴ and R⁵ are methyl. In embodiments, wherein A is C—C(O)R⁶.

In embodiments, B is C═O.

Group D Compounds

In embodiments, a bioactive, taste modulating, or salty taste modulating compound is a compound having the following structure:

where:

-   -   R¹ is H, methyl, OCOCH₃ or forms together with R⁶ a five         membered ring structure in which R¹ and R⁶ together are C═O or         CH₂;     -   R⁶ is H, C═OCH₃, or together forms a five membered ring         structure in which R¹ and R⁶ together are C═O or CH₂;     -   R⁷ is OCOCH₃;     -   A and B are C, CH or CCH₃, wherein when A and B are both C a         double bond is formed between A and B; and     -   R⁴ and R⁵ are independently selected from OH, methyl,

-   -   R⁴ and R⁵ together with the carbon to which they are bound form

-   -    to form a compound of the following formula

where R¹, R⁶ and R⁷ are as described above.

Group E Compounds

In embodiments, a bioactive, taste modulating, or salty taste modulating compound is a compound having the following structure:

where R¹, R² and R³ are independently selected from the group consisting of H and COCH₃.

Group F Compounds

In embodiments, a bioactive, taste modulating, or salty taste modulating compound is a compound having the following structure:

-   -   where:     -   R⁴² is H or OH;     -   R⁴³ are R⁴⁴ each independently H or CH₃;     -   R¹ and R² are each independently OH, C₁-C₃ alkyl or C₁-C₃         hydroxyl;     -   R³ and R⁴ are each independently H, OH or C₁-C₃ hydroxyl;     -   R⁵ is H or —OC(O)R⁸, where R⁸ is C₁-C₈ straight or branched         chain, saturated or unsaturated alkyl;     -   W is CH;     -   Y is CH, X is CH or CH₂, and Z is C or CR⁹, provided that Z is C         when X is CH₂, where R⁹ is H or together with R⁶ and the carbons         to which they are bound and the intervening carbon of W form a         five membered ring with an oxygen heteroatom;     -   R⁶ is C₁-C₃ hydroxyl, C(O)R¹⁰, (CH₂)p′R¹⁰ where p′ is zero or 1,         or together with R⁹ and the carbons to which they are bound and         the intervening carbon of W form a five membered ring with an         oxygen heteroatom,         -   where R¹⁰ is H, OH, or saccharidyl; and     -   R⁷ is H, OH, C₁-C₃ hydroxyl, or (CH₂)_(p)R⁴⁴, where p is zero or         1 and R⁴⁴ is saccharidyl.

In embodiments, R¹⁰ is saccharidyl and is

-   -   where a and b are each independently zero or 1;     -   where R¹¹ is H or

-   -   -   where d is zero or 1,         -   R¹⁴ is H, OH, CH₃ or C₁-C₃ hydroxyl, and         -   R¹⁵ is H, C(O)R¹⁶ where R¹⁶ is C₁-C₁₅ straight or branched             chain, saturated or unsaturated alkyl unsubstituted or             substituted with hydroxyl,

    -   where R¹² and R¹³ are each independently H, C(O)R⁴¹ where R⁴¹ is         C₁-C₁₅ straight or branched chain, saturated or unsaturated         alkyl unsubstituted or substituted with hydroxyl, or

-   -   -   where e is zero or 1,         -   R¹⁷ is H, OH or CH₃, and         -   R¹⁸ is H, C(O)R⁴² where R⁴² is C₁-C₁₅ straight or branched             chain, saturated or unsaturated alkyl unsubstituted or             substituted with hydroxyl, or

-   -   -   -   where f is zero or 1,             -   R¹⁹ is H, OH or CH₃, and             -   R²⁰ and R²¹ are each independently H, C(O)R⁴³ where R⁴³                 is C₁-C₁₅ straight or branched chain, saturated or                 unsaturated alkyl unsubstituted or substituted with                 hydroxyl, or

-   -   -   -    where                 -   g is zero or 1, and             -   R²², R²³ and R²⁴ are each independently H, OH or CH₃.

In embodiments, R⁴⁴ is saccharidyl and is

where

-   -   i is zero or 1,     -   R²⁵, R²⁶, R²⁷ and R²⁸ are each independently H, OH, CH₃, C₁-C₃         hydroxyl, COOH, (CH₂)_(n)OC(O)R²⁹ where n is zero, 1, 2 or 3 and         R²⁹ is H or C₁-C₃ alkyl, or (CH₂)_(m)OR³⁰ where m is zero or 1         and R³⁰ is

-   -    where         -   j is zero or 1,         -   R³¹, R³², R³³ and R³⁴ are each independently H, OH, CH₃,             C₁-C₃ hydroxyl, COOH, (CH₂)_(q)OC(O)R³⁵ where q is zero, 1,             2 or 3 and R³⁵ is H or C₁-C₃ alkyl, or (CH₂)_(t)OR³⁶ where t             is zero or 1 and R³⁶ is

-   -   -    where             -   k is zero or 1, and         -   R³⁷, R³⁸, R³⁹ and R⁴⁰ are each independently H, OH, CH₃,             C₁-C₃ hydroxyl, COOH, (CH₂)_(u)OC(O)R⁴¹ where u is zero, 1,             2 or 3 and R⁴¹ is H or C₁-C₃ alkyl.

In embodiments, Z is C. In embodiments, Z is CR⁹ and wherein R⁹ together with R⁶ and the carbons to which they are bound and the intervening carbon of W for a five membered ring with an oxygen heteroatom. In embodiments, R⁶ is C(O)R¹⁰. In embodiments, R¹⁰ is H or OH. In embodiments, R⁷ is OH. In embodiments, R¹ and R² are each independently C₁-C₃ alkly or C₁-C₃ hydroxyl. In embodiments, R³ is H or OH. In embodiments, R⁴ is H. In embodiments, R⁵ is H. In embodiments, one or more of R¹⁶, if present, R⁴² and R⁴³ are

In embodiments, a compound according to Formula (F) has the following structure:

where:

-   -   R¹ and R² are each independently OH, C₁-C₃ alkyl or C₁-C₃         hydroxyl;     -   R³ and R⁴ are each independently H, OH or C₁-C₃ hydroxyl;     -   R⁵ is H;     -   W is CH;     -   Y is CH, X is CH or CH₂, and Z is C or CR⁹, provided that Z is C         when X is CH₂, where R⁹ is H or together with R⁶ and the carbons         to which they are bound and the intervening carbon of W form a         five membered ring with an oxygen heteroatom;     -   R⁶ is C₁-C₃ hydroxyl, C(O)R¹⁰, (CH₂)p′R¹⁰ where p′ is zero or 1,         or together with R⁹ and the carbons to which they are bound and         the intervening carbon of W form a five membered ring with an         oxygen heteroatom,         -   where R¹⁰ is H or saccharidyl; and     -   R⁷ is H, OH, C₁-C₃ hydroxyl, or (CH₂)_(p)OR⁴⁴, where p is zero         or 1 and R⁴⁴ is saccharidyl.

In embodiments of a compound according to Formula F′, R¹⁰ is saccharidyl and is

-   -   where a and b are each independently zero or 1;     -   R¹¹ is H or

-   -   -   where d is zero or 1,         -   R¹⁴ is H, OH, CH₃ or C₁-C₃ hydroxyl, and         -   R¹⁵ is H, C(O)R¹⁶ where R¹⁶ is C₁-C₁₅ straight or branched             chain, saturated or unsaturated alkyl unsubstituted or             substituted with hydroxyl,

    -   where R¹² and R¹³ are each independently H, C(O)R⁴¹ where R⁴¹ is         C₁-C₁₅ straight or branched chain, saturated or unsaturated         alkyl unsubstituted or substituted with hydroxyl, or

-   -   -   where e is zero or 1,         -   R¹⁷ is H, OH or CH₃ and         -   R¹⁸ is H, C(O)R⁴² where R⁴² is C₁-C₁₅ straight or branched             chain, saturated or unsaturated alkyl unsubstituted or             substituted with hydroxyl, or

-   -   -   -   where f is zero or 1,             -   R¹⁹ is H, OH or CH₃, and             -   R²⁰ and R²¹ are each independently H, C(O)R⁴³ where R⁴³                 is C₁-C₁₅ straight or branched chain, saturated or                 unsaturated alkyl unsubstituted or substituted with                 hydroxyl, or

-   -   -   -    where                 -   g is zero or 1, and             -   R²², R²³ and R²⁴ are each independently H, OH or CH₃.

In embodiments of a compound according to Formula F′, R⁴⁴ is saccharidyl and is

where

-   -   i is zero or 1, and     -   R²⁵, R²⁶, R²⁷ and R²⁸ are each independently H, OH, CH₃, C₁-C₃         hydroxyl, COOH, (CH₂)_(n)OC(O)R²⁹ where n is zero, 1, 2 or 3 and         R²⁹ is H or C₁-C₃ alkyl, or (CH₂)_(m)OR³⁰ where m is zero or 1         and R³⁰ is

-   -    where         -   j is zero or 1, and         -   R³¹, R³², R³³ and R³⁴ are each independently H, OH, CH₃,             C₁-C₃ hydroxyl, COOH, (CH₂)_(q)OC(O)R³⁵ where q is zero, 1,             2 or 3 and R³⁵ is H or C₁-C₃ alkyl, or (CH₂)_(t)OR³⁶ where t             is zero or 1 and R³⁶ is

-   -   -    where             -   k is zero or 1, and             -   R³⁷, R³⁸, R³⁹ and R⁴⁰ are each independently H, OH, CH₃,                 C₁-C₃ hydroxyl, COOH, (CH₂)_(u)OC(O)R⁴¹ where u is zero,                 1, 2 or 3 and R⁴¹ is H or C₁-C₃ alkyl.

In embodiments of a compound according to Formula F′, Z is C. In embodiments, Z is CR⁹ and wherein R⁹ together with R⁶ and the carbons to which they are bound and the intervening carbon of W for a five membered ring with an oxygen heteroatom. In embodiments, R⁶ is C(O)R¹⁰. In embodiments, R¹ and R² are each independently C₁-C₃ alkly or C₁-C₃ hydroxyl. In embodiments, R³ is H or OH. In embodiments, R⁴ is H. In embodiments, R¹⁶, if present, is

In embodiments, a compound according to Formula (F) has the following structure:

-   -   where:     -   R¹ and R² are each independently OH, C₁-C₃ alkyl or C₁-C₃         hydroxyl;     -   R³ is H;     -   R⁴ is H, OH or C₁-C₃ hydroxyl;     -   R⁵ is H;     -   W is CH;     -   Y is CH, X is CH or CH₂, and Z is C or CR⁹, provided that Z is C         when X is CH₂, where R⁹ is H or together with R⁶ and the carbons         to which they are bound and the intervening carbon of W form a         five membered ring with an oxygen heteroatom;     -   R⁶ is, together with R⁹ and the carbons to which they are bound         and the intervening carbon of W form a five membered ring with         an oxygen heteroatom, or C(O)R¹⁰ where R¹⁰ is H or

-   -   -   where a and b are each independently zero or 1;

    -   where R¹¹ is H, OH, or

-   -   -   where d is zero or 1,         -   R¹⁴ is H, OH, CH₃ or C₁-C₃ hydroxyl, and         -   R¹⁵ is H, C(O)R¹⁶ where R¹⁶ is C₁-C₁₅ straight or branched             chain, saturated or unsaturated alkyl unsubstituted or             substituted with hydroxyl,         -   where R¹² and R¹³ are each independently H, C(O)R⁴¹ where             R⁴¹ is C₁-C₁₅ straight or branched chain, saturated or             unsaturated alkyl unsubstituted or substituted with             hydroxyl, or

-   -   -   -   where e is zero or 1,             -   R¹⁷ is H, OH or CH₃ and             -   R¹⁸ is H, C(O)R⁴² where R⁴² is C₁-C₁₅ straight or                 branched chain, saturated or unsaturated alkyl                 unsubstituted or substituted with hydroxyl, or

-   -   -   -   -   where f is zero or 1,                 -   R¹⁹ is H, OH or CH₃, and                 -   R²⁰ and R²¹ are each independently H, C(O)R⁴³ where                     R⁴³ is C₁-C₁₅ straight or branched chain, saturated                     or unsaturated alkyl unsubstituted or substituted                     with hydroxyl, or

-   -   -   -   -    where                 -    g is zero or 1, and                 -    R²², R²³ and R²⁴ are each independently H, OH or                     CH₃; and

    -   R⁷ is H, OH, C₁-C₃ hydroxyl, or (CH₂)_(p)R⁴⁴, where p is zero or         1 and R⁴⁴ is

-   -    where         -   i is zero or 1, and         -   R²⁵, R²⁶, R²⁷ and R²⁸ are each independently H, OH, CH₃,             C₁-C₃ hydroxyl, COOH, (CH₂)_(n)OC(O)R²⁹ where n is zero, 1,             2 or 3 and R²⁹ is H or C₁-C₃ alkyl, or (CH₂)_(m)OR³⁰ where m             is zero or 1 and R³⁰ is

-   -   -    where             -   j is zero or 1, and             -   R³¹, R³², R³³ and R³⁴ are each independently H, OH, CH₃,                 C₁-C₃ hydroxyl, COOH, (CH₂)_(q)OC(O)R³⁵ where q is zero,                 1, 2 or 3 and R³⁵ is H or C₁-C₃ alkyl, or (CH₂)_(t)OR³⁶                 where t is zero or 1 and R³⁶ is

-   -   -   -    where                 -   k is zero or 1, and                 -   R³⁷, R³⁸, R³⁹ and R⁴⁰ are each independently H, OH,                     CH₃, C₁-C₃ hydroxyl, COOH, (CH₂)_(u)OC(O)R⁴¹ where u                     is zero, 1, 2 or 3 and R⁴¹ is H or C₁-C₃ alkyl.

In embodiments of a compound according to Formula (F″), R⁴ is H. In embodiments, R¹ is CH₃. In embodiments, R² is CH₃.

Group G Compound

In embodiments, a bioactive, taste modulating, or salty taste modulating compound is a compound having the following structure:

Group H Compounds

In embodiments, a bioactive, taste modulating, or salty taste modulating compound is a compound having the following structure:

where:

-   -   R¹ is H or saccharidyl;     -   R² is H or OH;     -   R³ and R⁴ are independently selected from H or methyl or         together form CH₂;     -   R⁵ is CH₂ or CH;     -   R⁶ is CH or C, provided that when R⁵ is CH, R⁶ is C;     -   R⁷ and R⁸ together with the carbons to which they are bound form

to form a compound having the following structure

and

-   -   R⁹, R¹⁰, and R¹¹ are independently H or methyl.

In embodiments, R¹ is saccharidyl and is

Group I Compounds

In embodiments, a bioactive, taste modulating, or salty taste modulating compound is a compound having the following structure:

where:

-   -   X is O or CH₂;     -   R¹ and R⁹ are independently selected from H, OH, C₁-C₃ alkoxy,         C₁-C₃ alkyl, and (CH₂)_(n)OH, where n is an integer from 1 to 3;     -   R² and R¹⁰ are independently selected from H, OH and C₁-C₃         alkyl;     -   R³ and R⁴ are independently selected from H and C₁-C₃ alkyl or         together form CH₂;     -   R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ are independently selected from H and C₁-C₃         alkyoxy; and     -   R⁸ is H, OH or C₁-C₃ alkyoxy.

In embodiments, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷ and R⁸ are independently C₁-C₃ alkyoxy. In embodiments, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷ and R⁸ are methoxy. In embodiments, R³ and R⁴ together form CH₂. In embodiments, R³ and R⁴ are independently C₁-C₃ alkyl. In embodiments, R³ and R⁴ are methyl. In embodiments, at least two of R¹, R², R⁹ and R¹⁰ are independently C₁-C₃ alkyl. In embodiments, at least two of R¹, R², R⁹ and R¹⁰ are methyl. In embodiments, X is CH₂.

In embodiments, X is O. In some embodiments where X is O, R² and R¹⁰ are H. In some embodiments where X is O, two or more or R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, and R¹⁰ are H. In some embodiments where X is O, each of R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, and R¹⁰ are H. In some embodiments where X is O, R⁸ is OH or C₁-C₃ alkoxy. In some embodiments where X is O, R¹ and R⁹ are independently selected from OH, C₁-C₃ alkoxy, and (CH₂)_(n)OH. In some embodiments where X is O, one of R¹ and R⁹ is selected from OH and C₁-C₃ alkoxy, and the other of R¹ and R⁹ is (CH₂)_(n)OH.

In embodiments, a compound according to Formula (I) has the following structure:

where:

-   -   X is O;     -   R¹ and R⁹ are independently selected from H, OH, C₁-C₃ alkoxy,         C₁-C₃ alkyl, and (CH₂)_(n)OH, where n is an integer from 1 to 3;     -   R² and R¹⁰ are independently selected from H, OH and C₁-C₃         alkyl;     -   R³ and R⁴ are independently selected from H and C₁-C₃ alkyl;     -   R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ are H; and     -   R⁸ is H, OH or C₁-C₃ alkyoxy.

In embodiments of a compound according to Formula (I′), R² and R¹⁰ are H. In embodiments, each of R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, and R¹⁰ are H. In embodiments, R⁸ is OH or C₁-C₃ alkoxy. In embodiments, R¹ and R⁹ are independently selected from OH, C₁-C₃ alkoxy, and (CH₂)_(n)OH. In embodiments, one of R¹ and R⁹ is selected from OH and C₁-C₃ alkoxy, and the other of R¹ and R⁹ is (CH₂)_(n)OH.

Group J Compounds

Group J1 Compounds

In embodiments, a bioactive, taste modulating, or salty taste modulating is a compound having the following structure:

where:

-   -   R¹ and R⁶ are each independently OH, C₁-C₃ hydroxyl, C₁-C₃         alkoxy or saccharidyl;     -   R², R³, R⁷ and R⁸ are each independently H, OH, C₁-C₃ hydroxyl,         C₁-C₃ alkoxy;     -   R⁴ and R⁵ are each independently H, OH, C₁-C₃ alkyl, C₁-C₃         alkoxy, or C₁-C₃ hydroxyl;     -   Y is CHCH and n is zero or 1; and     -   X is CHR⁹ and m is zero or 1, where R⁹ is

-   -   -   where R¹⁰, R¹¹ and R¹² are each independently OH, C₁-C₃             alkoxy, or C₁-C₃ hydroxyl,

    -   provided that if n is 1, then m is 1.

In embodiments of a compound according to Formula J1, R¹, R⁶, or R¹ and R⁶ are saccharidyl and are

In embodiments of a compound according to Formula J1, R¹ is OH. In embodiments, R², R³, R⁷ and R⁸ are each independently H or C₁-C₃ alkoxy. In embodiments, where one of wherein R² and R³ is H and the other is C₁-C₃ alkoxy, one of R⁷ and R⁸ is H and the other is C₁-C₃ alkoxy. In embodiments, R², R³, R⁷ and R⁸ are each H. In embodiments, R¹⁰ is present and is OH. In embodiments, R¹¹ is present and is C₁-C₃ alkoxy. In embodiments, R¹² is present and is OH. In embodiments, R⁹ is present and is

where R¹⁰, R¹¹, and R¹² are as defined above.

In embodiments of a compound according to Formula J1, the compound has the following structure:

-   -   where R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, and R⁹ are as defined         above.

In embodiments of a compound according to Formula J1, the compound has the following structure:

-   -   where R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, and R⁸ are as defined above.

In embodiments of a compound according to Formula J1, the compound has the following structure:

-   -   where:     -   R¹ and R⁶ are each independently OH, C₁-C₃ hydroxyl, C₁-C₃         alkoxy or saccharidyl;     -   R², R³, R⁷ and R⁸ are each independently H, OH, C₁-C₃ hydroxyl,         C₁-C₃ alkoxy;     -   R⁴ and R⁵ are each independently H, OH, C₁-C₃ alkoxy, or C₁-C₃         hydroxyl;     -   Y is CHCH and n is zero or 1; and     -   X is CHR⁹ and m is zero or 1, where R⁹ is

-   -   -   where R¹⁰, R¹¹ and R¹² are each independently OH, C₁-C₃             alkoxy, or C₁-C₃ hydroxyl,

    -   provided that if n is 1, then m is 1.

In embodiments, R¹, R⁶ or R¹ and R⁶ are saccharidyl and are

In embodiments, R¹ is OH. In embodiments, R², R³, R⁷ and R⁸ are each independently H or C₁-C₃ alkoxy. In embodiments, R² and R³ is H and the other is C₁-C₃ alkoxy, and one of R⁷ and R⁸ is H and the other is C₁-C₃ alkoxy. In embodiments, R², R³, R⁷ and R⁸ are each H. In embodiments, R¹⁰ is present and is OH. In embodiments, R¹¹ is present and is C₁-C₃ alkoxy. In embodiments, R¹² is present and is OH. In embodiments, R⁹ is present and is

-   -   where R¹⁰, R¹¹, and R¹² are as defined above.

Group J2 Compounds

In embodiments, a bioactive, taste modulating, or salty taste modulating compound is a compound having the following structure:

where

-   -   R¹ is H, OH, or saccharidyl;     -   R² and R³ are each independently H or C₁-C₃ alkyl;     -   R⁴ and R⁵ are each independently H,

-   -    or CHC(R¹⁰)R¹¹, where         -   R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are each independently H or C₁-C₅ alkyl             unsubstituted or substituted with one or more of OH and

-   -   X is C═O or O;     -   Y is C═O or O, provided that when X is O, Y is C═O, or when X is         C═O, Y is O;     -   A is CHR¹² or CR¹², where         -   R¹² is H, OH, or saccharidyl;     -   B is C or CH, provided that if B is C then A is CR¹².

In embodiments of a compound according to Formula J2, R¹ is saccharidyl and is

where

-   -   a is zero or 1, and     -   R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, and R⁹ are each independently H, OH, CH₃, or CH₂OH.

In embodiments of a compound according to Formula J2, R¹² is saccharidyl and is

where

-   -   b is zero or 1, and     -   R¹³, R¹⁴, R¹⁵, and R¹⁶ are each independently H, OH, CH₃, or         CH₂OH.

In embodiments of a compound according to Formula J2, R⁴ is CHC(CH₃)₂ or

In embodiments of a compound according to Formula J2, R⁵ is H or

Group K Compound

In embodiments, a bioactive, taste modulating, or salty taste modulating compound is a compound having the following structure:

Group L Compounds

In embodiments, a bioactive, taste modulating, or salty taste modulating compound is a compound having the following structure:

where:

-   -   R¹, R³, R⁴, R⁵ and R⁶ are each independently H, OH, C₁-C₃         hydroxyl or C₁-C₃ alkoxy; and     -   R² is H, C₁-C₃ alkyl, or

-   -    where R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ are each independently OH, C₁-C₃ hydroxyl         or C₁-C₃ alkoxy.

In embodiments, R² is C₁-C₃ alkyl, such as methyl. In embodiments, R⁵ is OH or C₁-C₃ hydroxyl. In embodiments, R³ is H. In embodiments, R⁴ is C₁-C₃ alkoxy, such as methoxy. In embodiments, R⁶ is C₁-C₃ alkyl, such as methyl or propyl. In embodiments, R¹ is H. In embodiments, R¹ is C₁-C₃ hydroxyl, such as C₂ hydroxyl. In embodiments, R² is

In embodiments, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ are each independently OH or C₁-C₃ alkoxy. In embodiments, R⁷ is OH and R⁸ and R⁹ are each independently C₁-C₃ alkoxy, such as methoxy.

In embodiments, R³ is OH, C₁-C₃ hydroxyl, or C₁-C₃ alkoxy.

In embodiments, R⁵ is H.

In embodiments, R⁶ is C₁-C₃ alkoxy, such as methoxy.

In embodiments, R¹ is C₁-C₃ alkoxy, such as methoxy.

In embodiments, R⁴ is H.

In embodiments of a compound according to Formula L′, (i) R¹ is OH, C₁-C₃ hydroxyl or C₁-C₃ alkoxy; (ii) R² is H, C₁-C₃ alkyl, or

where R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ are each independently OH, C₁-C₃ hydroxyl or C₁-C₃ alkoxy; and (iii) R³, R⁴, R⁵ and R⁶ are each independently H, OH, C₁-C₃ hydroxyl or C₁-C₃ alkoxy. In embodiments, R² is C₁-C₃ alkyl, such as methyl. In embodiments, R⁵ is OH or C₁-C₃ hydroxyl. In embodiments, R³ is H. In embodiments, R⁴ is C₁-C₃ alkoxy, such as methoxy. In embodiments, R⁶ is C₁-C₃ alkyl, such as butyl. In embodiments, R¹ is C₁-C₃ hydroxyl. In some embodiments where R² is

R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ may each independently be OH or C₁-C₃ alkoxy. For example, R⁷ may be OH and R⁸ and R⁹ may each independently be C₁-C₃ alkoxy, such as methoxy. In some embodiments where R² is

R³ is OH, C₁-C₃ hydroxyl, or C₁-C₃ alkoxy. In some embodiments where R² is

R⁵ is H. In some embodiments where R² is

R⁶ is C₁-C₃ alkoxy, such as methoxy. In some embodiments where R² is

R¹ is C₁-C₃ alkoxy, such as methoxy. In some embodiments where R² is

R⁴ is H.

In embodiments, a compound according to Formula L is a compound having the following structure:

where:

-   -   R¹, R³, R⁴, R⁵ and R⁶ are each independently H, OH, C₁-C₃         hydroxyl or C₁-C₃ alkoxy; and     -   R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ are each independently OH, C₁-C₃ hydroxyl or C₁-C₃         alkoxy.

In embodiments of a compounds according to Formula L′, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ are each independently OH or C₁-C₃ alkoxy. In embodiments, R⁷ is OH and R⁸ and R⁹ are each independently C₁-C₃ alkoxy, such as methoxy. In embodiments, R³ is OH, C₁-C₃ hydroxyl, or C₁-C₃ alkoxy. In embodiments, R⁵ is H. In embodiments, R⁶ is C₁-C₃ alkoxy, such as methoxy. In embodiments, R¹ is C₁-C₃ alkoxy, such as methoxy. In embodiments, R⁴ is H.

Group M Compound

In embodiments, a bioactive, taste modulating, or salty taste modulating compound is a compound having the following structure:

Group N Compound

In embodiments, a bioactive, taste modulating, or salty taste modulating compound is a compound having the following structure:

Group O Compound

In embodiments, a bioactive, taste modulating, or salty taste modulating compound is a compound having the following structure:

Group P Compounds

Group P1 Compounds

In embodiments, a bioactive, taste modulating, or salty taste modulating compound is a compound having the following structure:

where:

-   -   X is CH or CH₂;     -   Y is CH or C, with the caveat that if Y is C, then X is CH;     -   R¹ is H, or

-   -    where R⁵ is OH, C(O)OH, or OC(O)R⁶, where R⁶ is a C₁-C₃ alkyl;     -   R² and R³ are independently H, or substituted with hydroxyl or         unsubstituted saturated or unsaturated branched or straight         C₁-C₆ alkoxy; and     -   R⁴ is H, or a saturated or unsaturated branched or straight         C₁-C₆ alkyl.

In embodiments, at least one of R² or R³ is H. In embodiments, both R² and R³ are H. In embodiments, at least one of R² and R³ is a substituted saturated or unsaturated branched or straight C₁-C₆ alkoxy substituted with at least one hydroxyl group. In embodiments, both R² and R³ are independently selected from a substituted saturated or unsaturated branched or straight C₁-C₆ alkoxy substituted with at least one hydroxyl group. For example, at least one of R² and R³ can be methoxy. In embodiments, at least one of R² and R³ is unsaturated. In embodiments, at least one of R² and R³ is branched. In embodiments, R² is a straight unsubstituted saturated C₁-C₃ alkoxy; and R³ is a branched unsubstituted, unsaturated C₃-C₆ alkoxy.

In embodiments, R⁴ is saturated or unsaturated branched or straight C₁-C₆ alkyl. For example, R⁴ can be C₅ alkyl. In embodiments, R⁴ is unsaturated. In embodiments, R⁴ is CH(CH₃)₂CHCH₂.

Group P2 Compounds

In embodiments, a bioactive, taste modulating, or salty taste modulating compound is a compound having the following structure:

where

-   -   X is selected from NH, O, C(O), CR⁵ or CR⁵R⁶, where R⁵ and R⁶         are independently selected from H, OH, a straight or branched C₁         to C₆ hydroxyl, or a C₁ to C₆ alkyl; and     -   Y, and Z are independently selected from O, CR⁵, CR⁵R⁶, where R⁵         and R⁶ are independently selected from H, OH, a straight or         branched C₁ to C₆ hydroxyl, or a C₁ to C₆ alkyl, or

-   -   -   with the proviso that (i) no more than two of X, Y and Z and             are O, and (ii) if Y is CR⁵ then X or Z is also CR⁵;

    -   R¹ is H, C₁-C₃ alkoxy, C(O)R⁷, where R⁷ is a C₁ to C₆ straight         or branched alkyl, or

-   -    where R⁸, R⁹ and R¹⁰ are independently selected from: H, OH, C₁         to C₃ hydroxyl, C₁ to C₃ alkoxy, or C₃ to C₈ alkyl;     -   R² is H, OH, or

-   -    where R¹¹ is H, OH, or C₁ to C₃ hydroxyl;     -   R³ is H, C₁-C₃ alkoxy, or together with R⁴ form a six membered         ring having an oxygen heteroatom to form a compound having a         structure of:

-   -   R⁴ is H, C₁ to C₃ alkoxy, or together with R³ forms the         structure above.

In embodiments, X is CR⁵R⁶. In embodiments, X is C(OH)(CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃). In embodiments, X is O. In embodiments, X is CH₂.

In embodiments, Y is O. In embodiments, Y is CR⁵R⁶, where R⁵ and R⁶ are H and a branched C₁ to C₆ hydroxyl, such as C(CH₃)(CH₃)OH. In embodiments, Y is CH.

In embodiments, Z is C(O). In embodiments, Z is CH₂. In embodiments, Z is O.

In embodiments, R¹ is

In embodiments, R1 is a C₁-C₃ alkoxy. In embodiments, R¹ is C(O)R⁷, where R⁷ is a C₁ to C₆ straight or branched alkyl.

In embodiments, R⁷ is a branched C₃ alkyl.

In embodiments, R² is H. In embodiments, R² is OH. In embodiments, R² is

In embodiments, R³ together with R⁴ form a six membered ring having an oxygen heteroatom to form a compound having the structure:

In embodiments, R³ is H. In embodiments, R³ is a C₁-C₃ alkoxy. In embodiments, R⁴ is H.

In embodiments, X is NH.

In embodiments, Z is

Group P3 Compounds

In embodiments, a bioactive, taste modulating, or salty taste modulating compound is a compound having the following structure:

where

-   -   Y is independently selected from CR⁵, CR⁵R⁶, where R⁵ and R⁶ are         independently selected from H, OH, a straight or branched C₁ to         C₆ hydroxyl, or a C₁ to C₆ alkyl;     -   R¹ is H, C₁-C₃ alkoxy, C(O)R⁷, where R⁷ is a C₁ to C₆ straight         or branched alkyl, or

-   -    where R⁸, R⁹ and R¹⁰ are independently selected from: H, OH, C₁         to C₃ hydroxyl, C₁ to C₃ alkoxy, or C₃ to C₈ alkyl;     -   R² is H or

-   -    where R¹ is H, OH, or C₁ to C₃ hydroxyl;     -   R³ is H, C₁-C₃ alkoxy, or together with R⁴ form a six membered         ring having an oxygen heteroatom to form a compound having a         structure of:

-   -   R⁴ is H, C₁ to C₃ alkoxy, or together with R³ forms the         structure above.

In embodiments, R¹ is C₁ to C₃ alkoxy. In embodiments, R¹ is H. In embodiments, R² is H. In embodiments, R³ is H. In embodiments, R⁴ is H.

Group P4 Compounds

In embodiments, a bioactive, taste modulating, or salty taste modulating compound is a compound having the following structure:

where

-   -   R¹ is H or a saturated or unsaturated C₁ to C₆ alkyl;     -   R² is H or a C₁ to C₃ alkoxy; and     -   R³ is H or

-   -    where R⁴, R⁵,     -   R⁶, R⁷, and R⁸ are independently selected from: H, OH, C₁ to C₃         hydroxyl, C₁ to C₃ alkoxy, and C₁ to C₃ alkyl; and     -   X is NH or O.

In embodiments, R¹ is CH₂CHC═(CH₃)₂. In embodiments, R¹ is H. In embodiments, R² is methoxy. In embodiments, R² is H. In embodiments, R³ is H. In embodiments, R³ is

Group P5 Compound

In embodiments, a bioactive, taste modulating, or salty taste modulating compound is a compound having the following structure:

Group Q Compounds

Group Q1 Compounds

In embodiments, a bioactive, taste modulating, or salty taste modulating compound is a compound having the following structure:

-   -   where A is:     -   a. CR⁹ where R⁹ is H, saturated or unsaturated C₁ to C₆ alkyl,         C₁ to C₃ hydroxyl or CHR¹⁰, where R¹⁰ is C₁ to C₆ alkyl;     -   b. CCR⁶⁴R⁶⁵R⁶⁶, where R⁶⁴, R⁶⁵, and R⁶⁶ are independently         selected from: C₁ to C₁₀ saturated or unsaturated, branched or         straight chain alkyl, or (CH₂)_(a)R¹¹ where a is zero or 1 and         R¹¹ is H, OH, or saccharidyl,     -   c. CR²³, where R²³ is saturated or unsaturated, substituted with         an oxygen or unsubstituted five membered ring including at least         one oxygen heteroatom,     -   d. CR²⁴, where R²⁴ is

-   -   where R²⁵ and R²⁶ are independently selected from H, OH, or C₁         to C₆ branched or straight hydroxyl,     -   e. or along with Q and the atoms attached thereto form a ring         structure of formula (Q1A) below,

-   -   where R²⁷ and R²⁸ are H, OH, C₁ to C₃ alkyl, C₁ to C₃ alkoxy, or         C₁ to C₃ hydroxyl;     -   B is CH₂, or CH, with the caveat that if B is CH then D is C;     -   D, E, F, and G are independently selected from: C, CR²⁹, where         R²⁹ is H, OH, C₁ to C₃ alkyl, or C₁ to C₃ hydroxyl, with the         caveat that if D is C, then B is CH; if E is C, then G is C; and         if F is C, then u is zero;     -   J is C(R³⁰)_(v)R³¹, where v is zero or 1 and R³⁰ and R³¹ are         independently selected from H, OH, C₁ to C₃ alkyl, C₁ to C₃         hydroxyl, or

-   -    where T and X are CH₂ and where f and g are independently         selected from zero (0), 1, or 2, and Z is selected from CR³²R³³,         where R³² and R³³ are independently selected from H, OH, C₁ to         C₃ hydroxyl, or C₁ to C₃ alkyl, with the caveat that is v is         zero then k is also zero;     -   K is CR⁵ _(u)R⁶, where u is zero or 1 and R⁵ and R⁶ are         independently selected from H, OH, C₁ to C₃ alkyl, C₁ to C₃         hydroxyl, C₁ to C₃ alkoxy, with the caveat that if u is zero         than F is C;     -   L is CR³⁴ _(k)R³⁵ where k is zero or 1 and R³⁴ and R³⁵ are         independently selected from H, OH, C₁ to C₃ alkyl, C₁ to C₃         hydroxyl, with the caveat that if v is zero then k is zero;     -   M is C(O), COC(O)R³⁶ where R³⁶ is C₁ to C₃ alkyl, CH(OH),         CH(CH₂)_(j)R³⁷ where j is zero, 1, or 2 and R³⁷ is H, OH, or         saccharidyl;     -   Q is C(O), or CR⁶¹R⁶², where R⁶¹ and R⁶² are independently         selected from H, OH, C₁ to C₃ alkyl, C₁ to C₃ hydroxyl or along         with A form a five membered ring containing an oxygen         heteroatom, or structure Q1A;     -   R¹, R³, and R⁷ are independently selected from H, OH or C₁ to C₃         alkyl;     -   R², is selected from H, O, OH or C₁ to C₃ alkyl; and     -   R⁴ and R⁸ are independently selected from H, C(O), OH, C₁ to C₃         alkyl, C(O)R⁶³ where R⁶³ is H or C₁ to C₃ alkyl, or OC(O)R⁶⁴         where R⁶⁴ is C₁ to C₃ alkyl, or H.

In embodiments, A is CR²³, wherein R²³ is saturated or unsaturated, substituted with an oxygen or unsubstituted five membered ring including at least one oxygen heteroatom.

In embodiments, R²³ is

In embodiments, A is CR⁹, where R⁹ is H, saturated or unsaturated C₁ to C₆ alkyl, C₁ to C₃ hydroxyl or CHR¹⁰, where R¹⁰ is C₁ to C₆ alkyl.

In embodiments, R⁹ is CHR¹⁰. In embodiments, R¹⁰ is CH₃.

In embodiments, A along with Q and the atoms attached thereto form a ring structure of formula (Q1A) below,

where R²⁷ and R²⁸ are H, OH, C₁ to C₃ alkyl, C₁ to C₃ alkoxy, or C₁ to C₃ hydroxyl. In embodiments, R²⁷ and R²⁸ are each CH₃.

In embodiments, A is CCR⁶⁴R⁶⁵R⁶⁶, where R⁶⁴, R⁶⁵, and R⁶⁶ are independently selected from: C₁ to C₁₀ saturated or unsaturated, branched or straight chain alkyl, or (CH₂)_(a)R¹¹ where a is zero or 1 and R¹¹ is H, OH, or

-   -   where a′ is zero or 1, R¹², R¹³, R¹⁴, and R¹⁵ are each         independently H, OH, CH₃, C₁-C₃ hydroxyl, COOH,         (CH₂)_(b)OC(O)R¹⁶ where b is zero, 1, 2 or 3 and R¹⁶ is H or         C₁-C₃ alkyl, or (CH₂)_(d)O(CH₂)_(d′)R¹⁷, where d and d′ are         independently zero (0) or 1 and R¹⁷ is H or

where R¹⁸, R¹⁹, R²⁰ and R²¹ are each independently H, OH, CH₃, C₁-C₃ hydroxyl, COOH, (CH₂)_(e)OC(O)R²² where e is zero, 1, 2 or 3 and R²² is H or C₁-C₃ alkyl.

In embodiments, R⁶⁴ is CH₃, R⁶⁵ is a C₃ to C₈ unsaturated, branched or chain alkyl, and R⁶⁶ is (CH₂)_(a)O(CH₂)_(a′)R¹¹ where a and a′ are both zero and R¹¹ is H or

-   -   where R¹², R¹³, and R¹⁵ are each independently H, OH, CH₃, C₁-C₃         hydroxyl, and R¹⁴ is (CH₂)_(d)O(CH₂)_(d′)R¹⁷, where d and d′ are         independently zero (0) or 1 and R¹⁷ is H or

where R¹⁸, R¹⁹, R²⁰ and R²¹ are each independently H, OH, CH₃, C₁-C₃ hydroxyl, COOH, OC(O)R²² where R²² is H or C₁-C₃ alkyl.

In embodiments, R¹², R¹³, and R¹⁵ are each independently OH or CH₃.

In embodiments, R¹⁸, R¹⁹, and R²¹ are each independently OH or H and R²⁰ is OC(O)CH₃.

In embodiments, A is CR²⁴, where R²⁴ is

where R²⁵ and R²⁶ are independently selected from H, OH, or C₁ to C₆ branched or straight hydroxyl. In embodiments, R²⁶ is OH and R²⁵ is C(CH₃)₂OH.

In embodiments, Q is CR⁶¹R⁶², where R⁶¹ and R⁶² are independently selected from H, OH, C₁ to C₃ alkyl, C₁ to C₃ hydroxyl. In embodiments, Q is CH₂. In embodiments, Q is CHOH. In embodiments, Q is C(O).

In embodiments, B is CH₂. In embodiments, B is CH and D is C.

In embodiments, D is CR²⁹, where R²⁹ is H, OH, C₁ to C₃ alkyl, or C₁ to C₃ hydroxyl.

In embodiments, R²⁹ is OH. In embodiments, R²⁹ is H. In embodiments, R²⁹ is CH₃.

In embodiments, E is CR²⁹, where R²⁹ is H, OH, C₁ to C₃ alkyl, or C₁ to C₃ hydroxyl. In embodiments, R²⁹ is H. In embodiments, R²⁹ is CH₃. In embodiments, E is C and G is C.

In embodiments, G is CH.

In embodiments, F is CH. In embodiments, K is CH and F is C.

In embodiments, K is CR⁵ _(u)R⁶, where u is 1 and R⁵ and R⁶ are independently selected from C₁ to C₃ alkyl. In embodiments, R⁵ and R⁶ are both CH₃. In embodiments, R⁵ and R⁶ are both H.

In embodiments, both J and L are CH. In embodiments, J is CH₂. In embodiments, J is C(R³⁰)_(v)R³¹, where vi s 1, R³⁰ and R³¹ is

where T and X are CH₂ and where f and g are independently selected from zero, 1, or 2, and Z is CR³²R³³, where R³² and R³³ are independently selected from H, OH, C₁ to C₃ hydroxyl, or C₁ to C₃ alkyl. In embodiments, f and g are both zero and R³² and R³³ are OH and C₁ to C₃ alkyl.

In embodiments, L is CH₂.

In embodiments, M is CHOH. In embodiments, M is CH(CH₂)_(j)R³⁷ where j is zero, 1, or 2 and R³⁷ is H or

-   -   where j′ is zero or 1, R³⁸, R³⁹, R⁴⁰, and R⁴¹ are each         independently selected from H, OH, CH₃, C₁-C₃ hydroxyl, C₁-C₃         alkoxy, COOH, (CH₂)_(m)OC(O)R⁴² where m is zero, 1, 2 or 3 and         R⁴² is H or C₁-C₃ alkyl, or (CH₂)_(n)O(CH₂)_(n′)R⁴³, where n and         n′ are independently zero or 1 and R⁴³ is H or

-   -   -   where R⁴⁴, R⁴⁵, R⁴⁶ and R⁴⁷ are each independently H, OH,             CH₃, C₁-C₃ hydroxyl, COOH, (CH₂)_(p)OC(O)R⁴⁸ where p is             zero, 1, 2 or 3 and R⁴⁸ is H or C₁-C₃ alkyl, or             (CH₂)_(q)O(CH₂)_(q′)R⁴⁹ where q and q′ are independently             zero or 1 and R⁴⁹ is H or

-   -   -   -   where R⁵⁰, R⁵¹, R⁵² and R⁵³ are each independently H,                 OH, CH₃, C₁-C₃ hydroxyl, COOH, (CH₂)_(r)OC(O)R⁵⁴ where r                 is zero, 1, 2 or 3 and R⁵⁴ is H or C₁-C₃ alkyl, or                 (CH₂)_(s)O(CH₂)_(s′)R⁵⁵ where s and s′ are independently                 zero or 1 and R⁵⁵ is H or

-   -   -   -   -   where R⁵⁶, R⁵⁷, R⁵⁸ and R⁵⁹ are each independently                     H, OH, CH₃, C₁-C₃ hydroxyl, COOH, (CH₂)_(t)OC(O)R⁶⁰                     where t is zero, 1, 2 or 3 and R⁶⁰ is H or C₁-C₃                     alkyl.

In embodiments, j and j′ are both zero and R³⁸ is CH₃; R³⁹ is OH; R⁴⁰ is OCH₃; and R⁴¹ is H. In embodiments, j and j′ are both zero and R³⁹ is (CH₂)_(n)O(CH₂)_(n′)R⁴³, where n and n′ are independently zero or 1 and R⁴³ is H or

-   -   where R⁴⁴, R⁴⁵, R⁴⁶ and R⁴⁷ are each independently H, OH, CH₃,         C₁-C₃ hydroxyl, COOH, (CH₂)_(p)OC(O)R⁴⁸ where p is zero, 1, 2 or         3 and R⁴⁸ is H or C₁-C₃ alkyl.

In embodiments, R⁴⁴ is CH₂OH; and R⁴⁵, R⁴⁶, and R⁴⁷ are all OH.

In embodiments, M is CH(CH₂)_(j)R³⁷ where R³⁷ is H, OH, or

-   -   where j′ is zero or 1, R³⁸ and R⁴¹ are each independently         selected from H, OH, CH₃, C₁-C₃ hydroxyl, C₁-C₃ alkoxy, COOH,         (CH₂)_(m)OC(O)R⁴² where m is zero, 1, 2 or 3 and R⁴² is H or         C₁-C₃ alkyl;     -   where R³⁹ is OR⁴³, where R⁴³ is H or

-   -   -   where R⁴⁴, R⁴⁵ and R⁴⁷ are each independently H, OH, CH₃,             C₁-C₃ hydroxyl, COOH, (CH₂)_(p)OC(O)R⁴⁸ where p is zero, 1,             2 or 3 and R⁴⁸ is H or C₁-C₃ alkyl; and R⁴⁶ is             (CH₂)_(q)O(CH₂)_(q′)R⁴⁹ where q and q′ are independently             zero or 1 and R⁴⁹ is H or

-   -   -   -   where R⁵⁰, R⁵¹ and R⁵³ are each independently H, OH,                 CH₃, C₁-C₃ hydroxyl, COOH, (CH₂)_(r)OC(O)R⁵⁴ where r is                 zero, 1, 2 or 3 and R⁵⁴ is H or C₁-C₃ alkyl; and R⁵² is                 OR⁵⁵ where R⁵⁵ is H or

-   -   -   -   -   where R⁵⁶, R⁵⁷, R⁵⁸ and R⁵⁹ are each independently                     H, OH, CH₃ or C₁-C₃ hydroxyl; and

        -   R⁴⁰ is OR⁴³, and R⁴³ is H or

-   -   -    where             -   R⁴⁴, R⁴⁵, R⁴⁶ and R⁴⁷ are each independently OH, or                 C₁-C₃ hydroxyl.

In embodiments, M is CO.

In embodiments, R¹ is H or C₁-C₃ alkyl. In embodiments R¹ is CH₃.

In embodiments, R² is H, OH, O, or C₁-C₃ alkyl.

In embodiments, R³ is H or C₁-C₃ alkyl.

In embodiments, R⁴ is CH₃. In embodiments, R⁴ is CHO.

In embodiments, R⁷ and R⁸ are both H. In embodiments, R⁸ is OCOCH₃.

In embodiments, F is CR²⁹, where R²⁹ is H, OH, C₁-C₃ alkyl, or C₁-C₃ hydroxyl.

In embodiments, K is CR⁵R⁶.

In embodiments, M is C(O), COC(O)R³⁶, where R³⁶ is C₁-C₃ alkyl, CH(CH₂)_(j)R³⁷ where j is zero or 1.

Group Q1B Compounds

In embodiments, a bioactive, taste modulating, or salty taste modulating compound is a compound having the following structure:

-   -   where A is:         -   a. CCR⁶⁴R⁶⁵R⁶⁶, where R⁶⁴, R⁶⁵, and R⁶⁶ are independently             selected from: C₁ to C₁₀ saturated or unsaturated, branched             or straight chain alkyl, or (CH₂)_(a)R¹¹ where a is zero or             1 and R¹¹ is H, OH, or saccharidyl,         -   b. or along with Q and the atoms attached thereto form a             ring structure of formula (Q1B) below,

-   -   where R²⁷ and R²⁸ are H, OH, C₁ to C₃ alkyl, C₁ to C₃ alkoxy, or         C₁ to C₃ hydroxyl;     -   D, E, F, and G are independently selected from: CR²⁹, where R²⁹         is H, OH, C₁ to C₃ alkyl, or C₁ to C₃ hydroxyl;     -   K is CR⁵R⁶, where R⁵ and R⁶ are independently selected from H,         or C₁ to C₃ alkyl;     -   M is CH(CH₂)_(j)R³⁷ where j is zero, 1, or 2 and R³⁷ is H, OH,         or saccharidyl;     -   Q is CHOH, or along with A form a five membered ring containing         an oxygen heteroatom, or structure II;     -   R¹, R² R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷ and R⁸ are independently selected from         H, OH, O, or C₁ to C₃ alkyl.

In embodiments, A along with Q and the atoms attached thereto form a ring structure of formula (Q1B′) below,

-   -   where R²⁷ and R²⁸ are H, OH, C₁ to C₃ alkyl, C₁ to C₃ alkoxy, or         C₁ to C₃ hydroxyl. In embodiments R²⁷ and R²⁸ are each CH₃.

In embodiments, A is CCR⁶⁴R⁶⁵R⁶⁶, where R⁶⁴, R⁶⁵, and R⁶⁶ are independently selected from: C₁ to C₁₀ saturated or unsaturated, branched or straight chain alkyl, or (CH₂)_(a)O(CH₂)_(a′)R¹¹ where a and a′ are independently zero or 1 and R¹¹ is saccharidyl and is:

-   -   where a′ is zero or 1, R¹², R¹³, R¹⁴, and R¹⁵ are each         independently H, OH, CH₃, C₁-C₃ hydroxyl, COOH,         (CH₂)_(b)OC(O)R¹⁶ where b is zero, 1, 2 or 3 and R¹⁶ is H or         C₁-C₃ alkyl, or (CH₂)_(d)O(CH₂)_(d′)R¹⁷, where d and d′ are         independently zero (0) or 1 and R¹⁷ is H or

-   -   where R¹⁸, R¹⁹, R²⁰ and R²¹ are each independently H, OH, CH₃,         C₁-C₃ hydroxyl, COOH, (CH₂)_(e)OC(O)R²² where e is zero, 1, 2 or         3 and R²² is H or C₁-C₃ alkyl.

In embodiments, R⁶⁴ is CH₃, R⁶⁵ is a C₃ to C₈ unsaturated, branched or chain alkyl, and R⁶⁶ is (CH₂)_(a)O(CH₂)_(a′)R¹¹ where a and a′ are both zero and R¹¹ is saccharidyl and is:

where R¹², R¹³, and R¹⁵ are each independently H, OH, CH₃, C₁-C₃ hydroxyl, and R¹⁴ is (CH₂)_(d)O(CH₂)_(d′)R¹⁷, where d and d′ are independently zero (0) or 1 and R¹⁷ is H or

where R¹⁸, R¹⁹, R²⁰ and R²¹ are each independently H, OH, CH₃, C₁-C₃ hydroxyl, COOH, OC(O)R²² where R²² is H or C₁-C₃ alkyl.

In embodiments, R¹², R¹³, and R¹⁵ are each independently OH or CH₃.

In embodiments, R¹⁸, R¹⁹, and R²¹ are each independently OH or H and R²⁰ is OC(O)CH₃.

In embodiments, M is CH(CH₂)_(j)R³⁷ where j is zero, 1, or 2 and R³⁷ is saccharidyl and is:

where j′ is zero or 1, R³⁸, R³⁹, R⁴⁰, and R⁴¹ are each independently selected from H, OH, CH₃, C₁-C₃ hydroxyl, C₁-C₃ alkoxy, COOH, (CH₂)_(m)OC(O)R⁴² where m is zero, 1, 2 or 3 and R⁴² is H or C₁-C₃ alkyl, or (CH₂)_(n)O(CH₂)_(n′)R⁴³, where n and n′ are independently zero (0) or 1 and R⁴³ is H or

where R⁴⁴, R⁴⁵, R⁴⁶ and R⁴⁷ are each independently H, OH, CH₃, C₁-C₃ hydroxyl, COOH, (CH₂)_(p)OC(O)R⁴⁸ where p is zero, 1, 2 or 3 and R⁴⁸ is H or C₁-C₃ alkyl, or (CH₂)_(q)O(CH₂)_(q′)R⁴⁹ where q and q′ are independently zero or 1 and R⁴⁹ is H or

where R⁵⁰, R⁵¹, R⁵² and R⁵³ are each independently H, OH, CH₃, C₁-C₃ hydroxyl, COOH, (CH₂)_(r)OC(O)R⁵⁴ where r is zero, 1, 2 or 3 and R⁵⁴ is H or C₁-C₃ alkyl, or (CH₂)_(s)O(CH₂)_(s′)R⁵⁵ where s and s′ are independently zero or 1 and R⁵⁵ is H or

where R⁵⁶, R⁵⁷, R⁵⁸ and R⁵⁹ are each independently H, OH, CH₃, C₁-C₃ hydroxyl, COOH, (CH₂)_(t)OC(O)R⁶⁰ where t is zero, 1, 2 or 3 and R⁶⁰ is H or C₁-C₃ alkyl.

In embodiments, j and j′ are both zero and R³⁸ is CH₃; R³⁹ is OH; R⁴⁰ is OCH₃; and R⁴¹ is H.

In embodiments, j and j′ are both zero and R³⁹ is (CH₂)_(n)O(CH₂)_(n′)R⁴³, where n and n′ are independently zero or 1 and R⁴³ is saccharidyl and is:

-   -   where R⁴⁴, R⁴⁵, R⁴⁶ and R⁴⁷ are each independently H, OH, CH₃,         C₁-C₃ hydroxyl, COOH, (CH₂)_(p)OC(O)R⁴⁸ where p is zero, 1, 2 or         3 and R⁴⁸ is H or C₁-C₃ alkyl.

In embodiments, R⁴⁴ is CH₂OH; and R⁴⁵, R⁴⁶, and R⁴⁷ are all OH.

In embodiments, D is CR²⁹, where R²⁹ is C₁ to C₃ alkyl.

In embodiments, E is CR²⁹, where R²⁹ is C₁ to C₃ alkyl.

In embodiments, G is CH.

In embodiments, F is CH.

In embodiments, K is CH and F is C.

In embodiments, K is CR⁵ _(u)R⁶, where u is 1 and R⁵ and R⁶ are independently selected from C₁ to C₃ alkyl. In embodiments, R⁵ and R⁶ are both CH₃.

In embodiments, R², R⁴, R⁸, and R⁹ are all H.

In embodiments, R¹ is C₁-C₃ alkyl. In embodiments, R¹ is H.

In embodiments, R³ is O. In embodiments, R³ is H.

Group Q2 Compounds

In embodiments, a bioactive, taste modulating, or salty taste modulating compound is a compound having the following structure:

-   -   where A is C or CR⁴, where R₄ is H, OH, C₁ to C₃ alkyl, with the         caveat that if A is C, then B is CR⁶;     -   B is CR⁵ _(a)R⁶, where a is zero (0) or 1, and R⁵ and R⁶ are         independently selected from H, OH, C₁ to C₃ alkyl, with the         caveat that if A is C, then B is CR⁶;     -   X is H, or along with Y and the atoms attached thereto form a         ring structure having formula (Q2A) below,

-   -   where R⁹ and R¹⁰ are independently selected from O and CH₂;     -   Z is H or along with Y and the atoms attached thereto form a         ring structure having formula (Q2B) below,

-   -   where R¹³ and R¹⁴ are independently selected from O and CH₂;     -   Y together with either X or Z forms a ring structure of formula         Q2A or Q2B above; and     -   R¹, R² and R³ are independently selected from H, CH₂, C₁ to C₃         alkyl.

In embodiments, A is CH₃. In embodiments, R¹ is CH₂. In embodiments, R² is H. In embodiments, R³ is H. In embodiments, A is CR⁴, where R⁴ is C₁ to C₃ alkyl. In embodiments, B is CH₂.

In embodiments, X and Y along with the atoms attached thereto form a ring structure having formula (Q2A) below,

In embodiments, R⁹ is O and R¹⁰ is CH₂.

In embodiments, Y and Z along with the atoms attached thereto form a ring structure having formula (Q2B) below,

-   -   where R¹³ and R¹⁴ are independently selected from O and CH₂. In         embodiments, R³ is CH₃. In embodiments, R¹ is H. In embodiments,         R² is CH₂. In embodiments, R² is CH₃.

Group Q3 Compounds

In embodiments, a bioactive, taste modulating, or salty taste modulating compound is a compound having the following structure:

-   -   where A is C or CR⁴, where R₄ is H, OH, C₁ to C₃ alkyl, with the         caveat that if A is C, then B is CR⁶;     -   B is CR⁵ _(a)R⁶, where a is zero or 1, and R⁵ and R⁶ are         independently selected from H, OH, C₁ to C₃ alkyl;     -   Z is H or CR¹¹R¹² where R¹¹ and R¹² are independently selected         from H, OH, C₁ to C₃ alkyl;     -   R¹, R² and R³ are independently selected from H, CH₂, or a         saturated or unsaturated C₁ to C₆ alkyl; and     -   R⁹ and R¹⁰ are independently selected from O or CH₂.

In embodiments, A is CCH₃. In embodiments, B is CH₂. In embodiments, Z is H. In embodiments, R¹ is CH₂. In embodiments, R₂ is H. In embodiments, R₃ is H. In embodiments, R⁹ is O. In embodiments, R¹⁰ is CH₂.

Group R Compounds

Group R1 Compounds

In embodiments a bioactive, taste modulating, or salty taste modulating compound is a compound having the following structure:

where R¹ is OH or saccharidyl;

R² and R³ are independently H, OH, and COOH; and

R⁴ is C₃-C₁₄ saturated or unsaturated alkyl optionally substituted with one or more hydroxyls.

In embodiments R¹ is OH. In embodiments R² is H. In embodiments, R² is OH. In embodiments, R³ is H. In embodiments, R³ is COOH. In embodiments, R⁴ is C₉ to C₁₃ unsaturated alkyl. In embodiments, R⁴ is C₉ to C₁₃ unsaturated alkyl with at least one hydroxyl. In embodiments, R⁴ is C₁₀ to C₁₂ alkyl with at least two double bonds, such as C₁₁ with at least two double bonds. In embodiments, R⁴ is C₁₁ with three double bonds. In embodiments, R⁴ is C₁₁ with three double bonds and one hydroxyl. In embodiments, R⁴ is C₃ to C₇ with at least one double bond.

In embodiments of a compound according to Formula R1 is a compound where R² and R³ are independently H, OH, and COOH; and R⁴ is C₃-C₁₀ saturated or unsaturated alkyl optionally substituted with one or more hydroxyls. In embodiments, R² is OH. In embodiments, R³ is COOH. In embodiments, R⁴ is C₃ to C₇ with at least one double bond.

Group R2 Compounds

In embodiments a bioactive, taste modulating, or salty taste modulating compound is a compound having the following structure:

where

A is (CH₂)_(x), where x is 0 or 1;

R⁵ is saccharidyl;

R² and R³ are independently H, OH, and COOH; and

R⁴ is C₈-C₁₆ saturated or unsaturated alkyl optionally substituted with one or more hydroxyls.

In embodiments, a compound of formula R2 the following structure:

where

A, D, E and G are independently (CH₂)_(x), where x is 0 or 1;

R¹ is H or saccharidyl;

R² and R³ are independently H, OH, and COOH; and

R⁴ is C₈-C₁₆ saturated or unsaturated alkyl optionally substituted with one or more hydroxyls.

In embodiments, R¹ is H. In embodiments, R² is H. In embodiments, R³ is H. In embodiments, R⁴ is C₈ to C₁₄ unsaturated alkyl optionally substituted with one or more hydroxyls, such as C₁₀ to C₁₃ unsaturated alkyl optionally substituted with one or more hydroxyls. In embodiments, R⁴ is C₁₁ unsaturated alkyl optionally substituted with one or more hydroxyls. In embodiments, R⁴ is C₁₁ unsaturated alkyl with one double bond optionally substituted with one or more hydroxyls.

In embodiments, x is one in A and E; and x is zero in D and E.

Group R3 Compounds

In embodiments a bioactive, taste modulating, or salty taste modulating compound is a compound having the following structure:

where

-   -   R¹ is H, or OH;     -   R² and R³ are independently H, OH, or CH₂OH;     -   X is O or CHOH;     -   Y is C═O or CH₂; and     -   R⁴ is C₃-C₁₂ unsaturated alkyl.

In embodiments, R¹ is OH. In embodiments, R² is H. In embodiments, X is CHOH. In embodiments, Y is CH₂. In embodiments, R³ is H.

In embodiments, R⁴ is a C₃ to C₇ unsaturated alkyl. In embodiments, R⁴ is a C₅ unsaturated alkyl. In embodiments, R⁴ is a C₅ alkyl with one double bond.

In embodiments, R³ is OH.

In embodiments, R⁴ is a C₈ to C₁₂ unsaturated alkyl. In embodiments, R⁴ is a C₁₀ unsaturated alkyl. In embodiments, R⁴ is a C₁₀ alkyl with one double bond.

Group R4 Compounds

In embodiments a bioactive, taste modulating, or salty taste modulating compound is a compound having the following structure:

-   -   where     -   X is O or NH;     -   R¹ is H, OH, or CH₂OH;     -   R² is H or OCOR⁵, wherein R⁵ is a C₁-C₃ alkyl; and     -   R³ is H or C₁-C₁₀ saturated or unsaturated alkyl.

In embodiments, X is O. In embodiments, R¹ is OH. In embodiments, R² is OCOR⁵. In some embodiments where R² is OCOR⁵, R⁵ is CH₃. In embodiments, R³ is C₅ to C₉ saturated or unsaturated alkyl, such as C₇ unsaturated alkyl. In embodiments, R³ is C₇ alkyl with one double bond.

In embodiments, X is NH. In some embodiments where X is NH, R¹ and R² are both H. In some embodiments where X is NH, R³ is H.

Group S Compounds

In embodiments a bioactive, taste modulating, or salty taste modulating compound is a compound having the following structure:

-   -   where:     -   X and Y are each independently C₇-C₂₀ straight or branched chain         unsaturated alkyl unsubstituted or substituted with one or more         OH;     -   A is saccharidyl; and     -   R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are each independently H, OH or saccharidyl.

In embodiments a compound according to Formula S has the following structure:

-   -   where:     -   a, b, d, e, f and g are each independently zero or 1;     -   X and Y are each independently C₇-C₂₀ straight or branched chain         unsaturated alkyl unsubstituted or substituted with one or more         OH;     -   R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, and R⁹ are each independently H,         OH, CH₃, CH₂CH₃, and CH₂OH; and     -   R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are each independently H, OH or saccharidyl.

In embodiments, one or both of R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are saccharidyl and are independently

where

-   -   i, j and k are each independently zero or 1, and     -   R¹², R¹³, R¹⁴, R¹⁵, R¹⁶, R¹⁷ and R¹⁸ are each independently H,         OH, CH₃, CH₂CH₃ and CH₂OH.

In embodiments, X and Y are each independently C₈-C₁₆ straight or branched chain unsaturated alkyl unsubstituted or substituted with one or more OH and having 2 to 6 double bounds. In embodiments, X and Y are each independently C₁₀-C₁₅ straight or branched chain unsaturated alkyl unsubstituted or substituted with one or more OH and having 2 to 4 double bounds.

In embodiments a compound according to Formula S has the following structure:

-   -   where a, b, d, e, f and g, and R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸,         R⁹, R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are as defined above; and wherein         -   R¹⁹, R²⁰, R²¹, R²² and R²³ are each independently H, CH₃ or             OH.

In embodiments a compound according to Formula S has the following structure:

-   -   where R¹⁹, R²⁰, R²¹, R²³ and R²⁴ are each independently H, CH₃         or OH.

Group T Compounds

In embodiments, a bioactive, taste modulating, or salty taste modulating compound is a compound having the following structure:

-   -   where:     -   R¹ is H, or COR⁴ where R⁴ is H, or saturated or unsaturated         C₁-C₆ straight or branched alkyl; and     -   R², R³, R^(a), R^(b), R^(c), R^(d), R^(e), R^(f), R^(g), R^(h),         R^(i), and R^(j) are independently selected from H, or saturated         or unsaturated C₁-C₃ alkyl.

In embodiments, R², R³, R^(a), R^(b), R^(c), R^(d), R^(e), R^(f), R^(g), R^(h), R^(i), and R^(j) are independently selected from H, or saturated or unsaturated C₁-C₃ alkyl with the caveat that saturated or unsaturated C₁-C₃ alkyl substituents are not directly adjacent each other.

In embodiments, R² is a saturated or unsaturated C₁-C₃ alkyl, such as methyl. In embodiments, R³ is a saturated or unsaturated C₁-C₃ alkyl, such as methyl. In embodiments, R² is CH₃ and R³ is CH₃.

In embodiments, R¹ is H. In embodiments, R¹ is COCH₃. In embodiments, R¹ is COR⁴ and R⁴ is

where R⁵ and R⁶ are independently selected from H, or saturated or unsaturated C₁-C₄.

In embodiments, R⁵ and R⁶ are both CH₃.

In embodiments a compound according to Formula T is a compound where (i) R², R³, R^(a), R^(b), R^(c), R^(d), R^(e), R^(f), R^(g), R^(h), R^(i), and R^(j) are independently selected from H, or saturated or unsaturated C₁-C₃ alkyl; and (ii) R⁷ is H or saturated or unsaturated C₁-C₃ alkyl. In such embodiments, R⁷ may be CH₃. R², R³, R^(a), R^(b), R^(c), R^(d), R^(e), R^(f), R^(g), R^(h), R^(i), and R^(j) may independently be selected from H, or saturated or unsaturated C₁-C₃ alkyl with the caveat that saturated or unsaturated C₁-C₃ alkyl substituents are not directly adjacent each other. R² may be a saturated or unsaturated C₁-C₃ alky, such as methyl. R³ may be a saturated or unsaturated C₁-C₃ alkyl, such as methyl.

In some of such embodiment, R² is CH₃ and R³ is CH₃.

In embodiments, a bioactive, taste modulating, or salty taste modulating compound is a compound having the following structure:

where

-   -   R², R³, R^(a), R^(b), R^(c), R^(d), R^(e), R^(f), R^(g), R^(h),         R^(i), and R^(j) are independently selected from H, or saturated         or unsaturated C₁-C₃ alkyl; and     -   R⁷ is H or saturated or unsaturated C₁-C₃ alkyl.

Group U Compounds

In embodiments, a bioactive, taste modulating, or salty taste modulating compound is a compound having the following structure:

where:

-   -   R¹ is H, OH, or C₁-C₃ alkoxy;     -   R^(a), R^(b), R^(e), R^(d), and R^(e) are each independently         selected from: H, OH, or C₁-C₃ alkoxy;     -   R² is H, OH, C₁-C₃ alkoxy, or R² and R³ together form

-   -    to form a compound of the following structure

-   -   R³ is H, OH, C₁-C₃ alkoxy, or R² and R³ together form a ring         structure as indicated above;     -   R⁴ is H, OH, or C₁-C₃ alkoxy;     -   X is O or CH; and     -   Y is O or CR⁵, where R⁵ is H or

-   -   where         -   R⁶, R⁷, and R⁸ are each independently selected from: H, OH,             or C₁-C₃ alkoxy;         -   R^(f), R^(g), R^(h), R^(i), R^(j), and R^(k) are each             independently selected from: H, OH, or C₁-C₃ alkoxy,     -   wherein the at least one compound of formula U is present in the         food product in an amount sufficient to enhance a perception of         saltiness of the food product.

In embodiments, R¹ is H. In embodiments, R¹ is —OCH₃. In embodiments, R² is H. In embodiments, R³ is H. In embodiments, both R² and R³ are H.

In embodiments where R² and R³ together form

to form a compound of the following structure

R⁴ is H.

In embodiments where R² and R³ form

to form a compound of the following structure

R⁴ is H.

In embodiments, R^(a), R^(b), R^(e), R^(d), and R^(e) are independently H or OH.

In embodiments, Y is O. In embodiments, Y is CR⁵, where CR⁵ is

R⁶ may be OH. R⁷ may be OH. R⁸ may be OH. R^(f), R^(g), R^(h), R^(i), R^(j), or R^(k) may independently be H or OH.

In embodiments, a compound according to Formula U is a compound having the following structure:

where:

-   -   R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁶, R⁷, and R⁸ are each independently H, OH, or         C₁-C₃ alkoxy;     -   X and Z are each independently O or CH; and     -   R^(a), R^(b), R^(c), R^(d), R^(e), R^(f), R^(g), R^(h), R^(i),         R^(j), and R^(k) are each independently H, OH, or C₁-C₃ alkoxy.

In embodiments, a compound of Formula UA is a compound where R¹ is OH or C₁-C₃ alkoxy. In embodiments, R² is H. In embodiments, R³ is OH or C₁-C₃ alkoxy. In embodiments, R⁴ is OH or C₁-C₃ alkoxy. In embodiments, R⁶ is OH or C₁-C₃ alkoxy. In embodiments, R⁷ is OH or C₁-C₃ alkoxy. In embodiments, R^(a), R^(b), R^(c), R^(d), R^(e), R^(f), R^(g), R^(h), R^(i), R^(j), and R^(k) are each independently H or OH. In embodiments, R^(a), R^(b), R^(c), R^(d), R^(e), R^(f), R^(g), R^(h), R^(i), R^(j), and R^(k) are each H. In embodiments, X is O. In embodiments, Z is O.

For purpose of convenience, Table 2A lists the initially selected 99 compounds (with compounds 12 and 20 being the same compound isolated from different sources) and indicates which categories and subcategories, if appropriate, into which each of the compounds falls. Table 2B lists the categories and the compound that fall within each category.

TABLE 2A Listing of compounds according to category Compound Category Sub-Categories  1 A —  2 —  3 —  4 —  5 —  6 —  7 —  8 A and B B1, B3  9 A — 10 B B1, B3 11 B1, B3 12 B1, B3 13 B1 14 B1′ 15 B1′ 16 B2, B4 17 B2, B4 18 B1′ 19 B1, B3 20 B1, B3 21 B1 22 B1′ 23 C C″, C″′ 24 C″, C″′, C″″ 25 C″, C″′ 26 C′, C″′ 27 C′ 28 — 29 D — 30 — 31 — 32 E — 33 — 34 F — 35 F′, F″ 36 F′ 37 Q Q1, Q1A, Q1B 38 Q1, Q1B 39 F F′ 40 G — 41 H — 42 F — 43 — 44 I — 45 — 46 — 47 I′ 48 J J1, J1″ 49 J1, J1″ 50 J1, J1′, J2 51 J2 52 K — 53 L 54 55 L′ 56 M — 57 N — 58 O — 59 P P5 60 P2, P2′ 61 P4 62 P1 63 P1 64 P1 65 P1 66 P4 67 P2 68 P2, P3 69 P2 70 P1 71 P1 72 P1 73 Q Q1 74 Q1 75 Q1 76 Q1 77 Q1 78 Q1 79 Q2, Q2A, Q3 80a Q2, Q2B 80b Q2, Q2B 81 R R1 82 R3 83 R4 84 R4 85 R1 86 R1 87 R3 88 R1 89 R1 90 R2 91 S — 92 — 93 T — 94 T2 95 — 96 U U′ 97 UA 98 U″ 99 —

TABLE 2B Listing of compounds according to category Category Compounds A 1-9 B 8, 10-22 C 23-28 D 29-31 E 32, 33 F 34-36, 39, 42, 43 G 40 H 41 I 44-47 J 48-51 K 52 L 53-55 M 56 N 57 O 58 P 59-72 Q 37, 38, 73-79, 80a, 80b R 81-90 S 91, 92 T 93-95 U 96-99

As can be seen from the structures of the compounds provided above, many of the compounds have structural similarities. Accordingly, it is believed that structural derivatives of the specific compounds presented above would also have the ability to elicit the perception of saltiness or enhance saltiness. Combinations of the compounds could also serve to elicit the perception of saltiness or enhance saltiness. In addition or alternatively, one or more of the compounds may elicit the perception of other simple or complex flavors, other than or in addition to saltiness.

Many of the structural similarities between the compounds are reflected in the compounds of Formulas A through U, as well as subclasses thereof, presented above. It will be further understood, based on the compounds identified herein, that one or more of gingerols, alkyl substituted phenols, acridone alcaloids, labdanes, primaranes, saponines, neolignans, pentacyclic triterpenes, 2,2′-cyclolignans, dibenzylbutane lignans, bicyclic triterpenes, phloroglucines, carylophyllenes, beta-carbolines, limnoids, cumarines, cardanolide steroids, fatty acids, and derivatives may be candidates for taste modulating compounds. It will be further understood that other structural similarities of the compounds presented herein may be exploited to develop taste modulating compounds.

By way of example, many of the compounds presented herein have unsaturated carbon chains of at least 11 carbons with attached hydroxyl groups and may be amphiphilic, with hydrophobic head portions and hydrophobic tails. Other compounds having, for example C₅-C₂₀ alkane or alkene tails may elicit or enhance saltiness. Similarly, other compounds with differently substituted carboxyl or hydroxyl groups may elicit or enhance the perception of saltiness.

Many compounds presented herein have large numbers of cyclic groups having a central portion that may be hydrophobic and peripheral regions that may be hydrophilic. More specifically, some compounds include pentacyclohexane with hydroxyl groups, attached sugars and at least one ester linkage. Substitution of the central hydrophobic ring structure with, for example, C₅-C₂₀ hydrophobic alkyl or alkene groups, may result in compounds that may elicit or enhance saltiness. Alternative substitution of hydroxyl groups at the peripheral regions or substitution with carboxylic groups may also result in compounds that elicit or enhance the perception of saltiness.

Many of the compounds presented above have one or more aromatic ring structures, with some being substituted and some being unsubstituted. Similar substitution or unsubstitution of such compounds may result in compounds that enhance or elicit saltiness.

A plurality of compounds presented herein include saturated carbon chains of at least 9 carbons and one oxygen containing group such as hydroxyl, carbonyl, carboxyl, or ester. Other compounds having unsaturated carbon chains of, for example, 5 to 15 carbons and an oxygen group may have similar effects with regard to salty taste.

Many compounds presented herein have at least one phenol group with an ether group and a carbon side chain comprising at least seven carbons. Other similar compounds may have similar effects with regard to salty taste.

A number of compounds presented herein have a benzyl heterocyclic furan with various attached groups containing unsaturated carbon linkages and at least one carbonyl group. Other similar compounds may have similar activity with regard to salty taste.

A plurality of compounds presented above contain a cyclopentaphenthrene group. Other compounds having a cyclopentaphenthrene and similar substituents may have similar activity with regard to salty taste.

A number of the compounds presented herein include a benzopyranone group. Other compounds having a benzopyranone and similar substituents may have similar activity with regard to salty taste.

Some compounds presented above have unsubstituted carbon chain with a minimum of 13 carbons and at least one carbonyl group. Other similar compounds may have similar activity with regard to salty taste.

A plurality of compounds presented herein have a methoxymethyltetrahydrobenzo-cyclooctabenzo-dioxole or -annulene group. Other compounds having such groups may have similar activity with regard to salty taste.

A number of compounds presented above have tetracyclohexane with an attached ester or carbonyl moiety. Other similar compounds may have similar activity with regard to salty taste.

Many of the compounds can be classified as lactones, lignol-like compounds, oxylipins, polyisoprene glycosides, triterpenoid glycosides, alkylamides, or gamma pyrenes. Other similar compounds may also elicit or enhance salty taste perception.

It will be understood that derivations of the compounds discussed above are provided for purposes of example and that other derivatives or derivations may be made based on structural similarities between the various compounds, resulting in compounds that elicit or enhance perception of saltiness.

Evaluation of Salty Taste or Salty Taste Enhancement

Many of the identified compounds were tested by tasters and rated for perception of saltiness in combination with reduced amounts of sodium chloride and were assigned a rating (DAP score) for saltiness. Briefly, each individual tested compound was placed in water and in sodium solution to test saltiness and saltiness enhancement potential. Tests in water were executed in a compound concentration of 10 ppm. Tests in sodium solution were executed in compound concentrations of 0.1, 1 and 10 ppm. Two control sodium solutions with known organoleptic salt intensities were provided as references for each test. The test for individual compounds was also conducted using simple broth instead of sodium solution. A number of compound combinations identified from the Na-solution DAP test were used for the broth DAP test. Tests were executed with a trained panel of 9-12 assessors. For Na-solution DAP tests, a DAP score of greater than 3.1 indicates saltiness or salt enhancement. The DAP score can be correlated with a sodium reduction potential by subtracting 3.1 from the DAP score. For example, a DAP score of 4.0 would result in a 9% sodium reduction potential ((4.0−3.1)*10=9%), which means that 9% less sodium may be present in a food product having the salty compound relative to a substantially similar food product that does not have the salty compound while producing a similar saltiness. For broth DAP tests, a DAP score of greater than 7.6 indicates saltiness or salt enhancement. The DAP score can be correlated with a sodium reduction potential by subtracting 7.6 from the DAP score. For example, a DAP score of 8.5 would result in a 9% sodium reduction potential ((8.5 −7.6)*10=9%), which means that 9% less sodium may be present in a food product having the salty compound relative to a substantially similar food product that does not have the salty compound while producing a similar saltiness.

A summary of the compounds, the channels for which in vitro thresholds were identified, and the DAP scores are provided below in Table 3.

TABLE 3 Activity of identified compounds in Na-Solution and in simple broth DAP in DAP in Compound Na-Sol. Broth  1 3.6 7.8  2 3.5 7.8  3 4.1 8.8  4 3.5 N.T.  5 3.6 N.T.  6 3.8 N.T.  7 3.7 N.T.  8 4   N.T.  9 3.8 N.T. 10 3.9 7.9 11 2.6 8.1 12 4   7.6 13 3.8 7.9 14 3.6 N.T. 15 3.5 8.1 16 3.3 8.0 17 3.6 8.2 18 3.8 8.1 19 N.T. N.T. 20 4   N.T. 21 4   N.T. 22 N.T. N.T. 23 2.9 8.3 24 N.T. N.T. 25 3.9 N.T. 26 3.4 N.T. 27 3.4 N.T. 28 3.6 N.T. 29 3.5 8.0 30 3.1 N.T. 31 3.2 N.T. 32 3.5 8.1 33 3.4 7.7 34 3.9 7.7 35 3.7 8.1 36 3.9 8.2 37 3.7 8.1 38 3.9 8.1 39 N.T. N.T. 40 3.5 7.8 41 3.9 7.5 42 3.1 8.1 43 3.7 8.0 44 3.8 8.6 45 3.5 8.2 46 3.6 7.8 47 N.T. N.T. 48 3.7 7.8 49 3.6 8.2 50 4   N.T. 51 N.T. N.T. 52 3.6 N.T. 53 3.7 8.5 54 3.4 8.1 55 N.T. N.T. 56 4   7.7 57 3.1 N.T. 58 3.3 8.0 59 3.3 7.9 60 3.8 8.1 61 3.6 N.T. 62 3.9 8.0 63 3.5 8.0 64 3.7 7.8 65 3.3 7.9 66 3.2 7.8 67 N.T. N.T. 68 N.T. N.T. 69 N.T. N.T. 70 N.T. N.T. 71 N.T. N.T. 72 N.T. N.T. 73 3.5 8.0 74 3.2 7.7 75 3.6 N.T. 76 3.2 8.0 77 3.4 8.1 78 N.T. N.T. 79 N.T. N.T. 80a 3.9 N.T. 80b 3.9 N.T. 81 3.2 7.8 82 3.8 8.3 83 4.2 8.1 84 3.8 8.1 85 2.9 N.T. 86 3.9 8.0 87 3.9 8.0 88 3.2 8.0 89 3.7 7.6 90 N.T. N.T. 91 3.7 N.T. 92 4   N.T. 93 N.T. N.T. 94 4.2 N.T. 95 N.T. N.T. 96 N.T. N.T. 97 N.T. N.T. 98 N.T. N.T. 99 4.1 N.T.

In Table 3 above, “N.T.,” with regard to a DAP score, means the compound was not taste tested.

The data in Table 3 above reflect the best DAP score for the tested concentrations of 0.1 parts per million (ppm), 1 ppm and 10 ppm. The highest concentrations did not always result in the highest DAP scores.

Compounds in water with no sodium were also tested. The compounds in water with no sodium elicited no appreciably discernable salty taste, even at the 10 ppm concentration (data not shown).

DAP score testing results for various pairs of compounds are presented in FIG. 1 (sodium solution) and FIG. 2 (broth). Certain combinations were tested twice. For these combinations, two DAP scores are shown in the tables presented in FIGS. 1-2. As shown in the results presented in FIGS. 1-2, certain combinations of compounds can enhance the perception of saltiness. Some combinations resulted in DAP scores as high as 4.5 in some tests. See, for example, the combination of compound 83 and 13 in FIG. 1 (sodium solution) and the combination of compound 12 and 18 in FIG. 2 (broth). Such DAP scores may result in a sodium reduction potential of about 14%. The combinations tested in FIGS. 1-2 are representative of the combinations that may be used in a food product to enhance the perception of saltiness or reduce sodium content. It will be understood that any other suitable combination of compounds may be employed.

Additional testing of combinations of pairs of compounds was performed in sodium solution. The DAP scores from this additional testing is shown below in Table 4.

TABLE 4 Activity of a combination of bioactive compounds in sodium solution Com- Com- Com- Com- Com- pound pound pound pound pound 66: 29: 16: 33: 73: (0.1 ppm) (10 ppm) (1 ppm) (1 ppm) (1 ppm) Compound 83: 3.7 4.0 3.8 3.6 4.0 (1 ppm) Compound 10: 3.3 3.7 3.8 2.9 3.6 (1 ppm) Compound 45: 3.2 3.3 3.8 3.7 4.2 (10 ppm)

In addition, more than two bioactive, taste modulating or salty taste modulating compounds described herein may be included in a food product. By way of example, Table 5 below shows DAP scores obtained from testing sodium solutions and chicken broth containing a combination of compounds 12, 13 and 83. As shown in Table 5, such a combination resulted in a DAP score of 5.3 when tested in a sodium solution. Accordingly, such a combination may result in a sodium reduction potential of about 22%. Of course, other suitable combinations of three or more compounds may be used or included in a food product to enhance the perception of saltiness or to reduce sodium content.

TABLE 5 Activity of a combination of bioactive compounds in sodium solution and broth In Na In Compound Conc. Solution Broth 12 1 ppm 5.3 8.1 13 10 ppm 83 1 ppm

Some illustrative examples of combinations of compounds that may produce desired or beneficial effect, for example when incorporated in a food product, include combinations that include at least one compound selected from the group consisting of compounds 3, 10, 12, 13, 16, 18, 29, 33, 36, 37, 41, 43, 44, 45, 48, 53, 56, 62, 66, 73, 82, 83, and 84. Another illustrative example is a combination that includes at least one compound selected from the group consisting of compounds 10, 12, 13, 18, 36, 45, 56, 82, and 83. Yet another illustrative example is a combination that includes compounds 12, 13 and 83. Of course, any other suitable or desirable combination may be used.

DAP scores for combinations of three different compounds in broth are shown in Table 6 below.

TABLE 6 Activity of a combination of bioactive compounds in broth Compound (concentration) DAP score 3 (0.1 ppm) 7.8 36 (0.1 ppm) 44 (10 ppm) 3 (0.1 ppm) 7.7 36 (0.1 ppm) 53 (1 ppm) 3 (0.1 ppm) 7.9 36 (0.1 ppm) 18 (10 ppm) 13 (10 ppm) 8.1 84 (1 ppm) 44 (10 ppm) 13 (10 ppm) 7.9 84 (1 ppm) 53 (1 ppm) 13 (10 ppm) 8.0 84 (1 ppm) 3 (0.1 ppm) 18 (10 ppm) 8.1 12 (1 ppm) 44 (10 ppm) 18 (10 ppm) 8.2 12 (1 ppm) 53 (1 ppm) 18 (10 ppm) 8.3 12 (1 ppm) 3 (0.1 ppm)

Sourcing

Natural sources of the mentioned taste modulating or salty taste modulating compounds can be extracted by a variety of methods such as, but not exclusive to, water, solvent extractions (ethanol/water combinations), or supercritical carbon dioxide or other volatilization methods. These concentrated extracts or isolates could be stabilized physically by encapsulation, for example, or chemical reaction to non-reactive compounds such as simple sugars or small chain fatty acids. Compounds may be altered for their solubility in aqueous solutions by hybridization to larger sized molecules and additionally processed or reacted to create an impacting ingredient in either a dry or aqueous form.

In embodiments, a composition comprises a bioactive, taste modulating or salty taste modulating compound described herein. The composition may be included in a food product. In embodiments, the composition comprises one or more natural extracts. In another embodiment, the extract is selected from a plant or microbial (e.g., fungi or bacterial) source. Examples of suitable natural extracts include extracts derived from Aesculus hippocastaneum; Alchemilla xanthochlora; Angelica archangelica; Apocynum cannabinum; Azadirachta indica; Actinomycete bacteria (Strain code: 01702axxx000002); Capsicum annuum; Cimicifuga racemosa; Commiphora mukul; Embelia ribes; Evodia rutaecarpa; Ferula assa-foetida; Fungi (Strain code: 02295fxxx000001; Strain code: 01469fxxx000005); Gleditschia australis; Kaempferia galanga; Lavandula officinalis; Marrubium vulgare; Mesua ferrea; Nephelium cuspidatum; Orthosiphon stamineus; Persea gratissima; Petroselinum stativum; Piper longum; Pithecoctenium echinatum; Podophyllum peltatum; Psidium guajava; Ricinus communis; Salvia miltiorrhiza; Schisandea chinensis; Teclea trichocarpa; Vitex agnus; Xysmalobium undulatum; Yucca gloriosa; Zanthoxylum piperitum; Zingiber officinalis and others. The composition may be in a dry or liquid form. The liquid composition may be a solution, suspension, colloidal suspension, microencapsulated suspension, emulsion, or the like, or combinations thereof. The dry composition may be a microencapsulation solid, agglomeration, or the like or combinations thereof.

In embodiments, a bioactive, taste modulating or salty taste modulating compound described herein is included in a composition comprising a carrier. The composition comprising the carrier may be incorporated into a food product. Any suitable carrier may be used. Examples of suitable carriers include propylene glycol, ethanol, water, or oil. In embodiments, the carrier is a starch, such as a starch comprising carbohydrate, a maltodextrin, a cyclodextrin or another dextrin, or a liposome. In embodiments, the carrier is an encapsulant or the carrier may comprise an embedded bioactive, taste modulating or salty taste modulating compound.

DEFINITIONS

All scientific and technical terms used herein have meanings commonly used in the art unless otherwise specified. The definitions provided herein are to facilitate understanding of certain terms used frequently herein and are not meant to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” encompass embodiments having plural referents, unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the term “or” is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. The term “and/or” means one or all of the listed elements or a combination of any two or more of the listed elements.

As used herein, “have”, “having”, “include”, “including”, “comprise”, “comprising” or the like are used in their open ended sense, and generally mean “including, but not limited to”. It will be understood that “consisting essentially of”, “consisting of”, and the like are subsumed in “comprising” and the like. As used herein, “consisting essentially of,” as it relates to an composition, product, method or the like, means that the components of the composition, product, method or the like are limited to the enumerated components and any other components that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the composition, product, method or the like.

The words “preferred” and “preferably” refer to embodiments of the invention that may afford certain benefits, under certain circumstances. However, other embodiments may also be preferred, under the same or other circumstances. Furthermore, the recitation of one or more preferred embodiments does not imply that other embodiments are not useful, and is not intended to exclude other embodiments from the scope of the disclosure, including the claims.

Also herein, the recitations of numerical ranges by endpoints include all numbers subsumed within that range (e.g., 1 to 5 includes 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, 5, etc. or 10 or less includes 10, 9.4, 7.6, 5, 4.3, 2.9, 1.62, 0.3, etc.). Where a range of values is “up to” a particular value, that value is included within the range.

As used herein, a “bioactive compound” is a compound that alters the flow of ions through one or more channels associated with the perception of salty taste or another taste associated with consumption of sodium chloride.

As used herein, a “taste modulating compound” is a compound that modifies the taste of a food product. By way of example, a taste modulating compound may modify the taste of a food product due to a particular taste imparted by the taste modulating compound, due to a modification of the perceived taste of the food product, or a component thereof, or the like. In embodiments, a taste modulating compound is a salty taste modulating compound.

As used herein a “salty taste modulating compound” is a compound that, when ingested, elicits or enhances a perception of salty taste alone or in the presence of a salt, such as sodium chloride.

As used herein, a composition that is “substantially similar” to another composition contains substantially the same concentration of components (e.g., within about 5%) except for the specifically enumerated components that make the compositions different. For example, a composition that includes a salty compound may be substantially similar to a composition that does not have the salty compound, if the components of the compositions, other than the salt and the salty compound, are present in a substantially similar concentration.

As used herein, a compound “derived” from a natural product is a compound that exists in a natural product, whose identity is verified. The compound derived from the natural product may be extracted from, for example, a plant or microbial source as opposed to being produced synthetically. Extraction or isolation of the naturally-derived compound may be facilitated by simple chemical reactions such as acidification, basification, ion exchange, hydrolysis, and salt formation as well as microbial fermentation, and the like. In embodiments, a taste modulating or salty taste modulating compound is derived from natural sources such as natural plant, fungi, and bacterial sources. Examples of such natural sources include, but are not limited to Aesculus hippocastaneum; Alchemilla xanthochlora; Angelica archangelica; Apocynum cannabinum; Azadirachta indica; Actinomycete bacteria (Strain code: 01702axxx000002); Capsicum annuum; Cimicifuga racemosa; Commiphora mukul; Embelia ribes; Evodia rutaecarpa; Ferula assa-foetida; Fungi (Strain code: 02295fxxx000001; Strain code: 01469fxxx000005); Gleditschia australis; Kaempferia galanga; Lavandula officinalis; Marrubium vulgare; Mesua ferrea; Nephelium cuspidatum; Orthosiphon stamineus; Persea gratissima; Petroselinum stativum; Piper longum; Pithecoctenium echinatum; Podophyllum peltatum; Psidium guajava; Ricinus communis; Salvia miltiorrhiza; Schisandea chinensis; Teclea trichocarpa; Vitex agnus; Xysmalobium undulatum; Yucca gloriosa; Zanthoxylum piperitum; Zingiber officinalis; and others. In embodiments, one or more compounds derived from Persea gratissima are combined with one or more compounds derived from Kaempferia galanga or one or more compounds derived from Capsicum annuum; and others.

As used herein, an “isolated” or “purified” compound is a compound that is substantially separated from other components of the source of the compound. For example, if the source of the compound is a natural product, an isolated or purified compound may be a compound that is separated from its naturally occurring environment. If the compound is synthesized, the compound may be separated from unreacted reagents, reaction byproducts, solvents, or the like.

As used herein a “synthetic compound” is a compound that is synthesized via chemical reaction in vitro. A compound that is “synthesized” is a synthetic compound. A synthesized compound may be identical to a compound derived from a natural product.

For the purposes of this disclosure, reference to a compound includes reference to salts of the compound, hydrates of the compound, polymorphs of the compound, isomers of the compound (including constitutional isomers and stereoisomers such as enantiomers and diasteriomers), and the like.

For the purposes of the present disclosure, it will be understood that a ring structure having a structure of

or the like, will be considered to be aromatic.

It will be understood that compounds disclosed herein may be glycosylated or may be substituted with one or more saccharides. In various embodiments, specific or generic compounds substituted with one or more saccharides are disclosed. However, it will be understood that other saccharide substitutions are possible and are contemplated.

As used herein, a “saccharide” is a monosaccharide or an oligosaccharide. A monosaccharide may be a diose, a triose, a tetrose, a pentose, a hexose, a heptose, and so one. Monosaccharides include aldoses and ketoses. Examples of monosaccharides include glyceraldehyde, dihydroxyacetone, erythrose, threose, erythrulose, arabinose, lyxose, ribose, xylose, ribulose, xylulose, allose, altrose, galactose, glucose, gulose, idose, nannose, talose, fructose, psicose, sorbose, tagatose, mannoheptulose, sedoheptulose, 2-keto-3-deoxy-manno-actonate, and sialose.

Monosaccharides may be acyclic or cyclic. Cyclic isomers include furanoses and pyranoses.

As used herein, “monosaccharide” includes deoxygenated variants of monosaccharides that are deoxygenated at one or more positions. As used herein, “monosaccharide” includes monosaccharides having carbon atoms of a monosaccharide chain or ring that are substituted with one or more of the following: H(H), CH₂OH, OH, COOH, OCOR¹⁰⁰, CH₃, OCH₃, C(CH₃)₂OH, and

where R¹⁰⁰ is selected from the group consisting of

An “oligosaccharide” is a chain of two or more monosaccharides where each monosaccharide is bound by a glycosidic bond.

As used herein, “saccharidyl” means a monosaccharide or oligosaccharide substituent. The monosaccharide or oligosaccharide substituent may be a terminal substituent or an internal substituent. That is, a saccharidyl group may be bound to one or more parent compounds (e.g., parent structure 1-saccharidyl or parent structure 1-saccharidyl-parent structure 2).

For purposes of example, a generic structure representing a monosaccharide is presented below:

where one of A′, B′, D′, E′, F′ and G′ is O and where each of the rest of A′, B′, D′, E′, F′ and G′ is independently selected from the group consisting of CH₂, CHOH, CHCH₂OH, CHCH₃, CHCOOH, CHOCOR¹⁰¹, CHOCH₃, CHC(CH₃)₂OH, and

where R¹⁰¹ is selected from the group consisting of

For purposes of Example, a generic structure representing an embodiment of an oligosaccharide that is a disaccharide is presented below:

(i) where (a) one of A′, B′, D′, E′, and F′ is O, (b) one of A″, B″, D″, E″, and F″ is O, and (c) each of the rest of A′, B′, D′, E′, F′, A″, B″, D″, E″, and F″ is independently selected from the group consisting of CH₂, CHOH, CHCH₂OH, CHCH₃, CHCOOH, CHOCOR¹⁰², CHOCH₃, CHC(CH₃)₂OH, and

where R¹⁰² is selected from the group consisting of

and (ii) where x′ and y′ are independently selected from zero or 1. Typically, the oxygen heteroatom of a monosaccharide ring will be in an ortho or meta position relative to a saccharide substitution.

For purposes of example, a generic structure representing an embodiment of an oligosaccharide that is a trisaccharide is presented below:

(i) where (a) one of A′″, B′″, D′″, E′″, and F′″ is O, (b) one of A″, B″, D″, E″, and F″ is O, and (c) each of the rest of A′, B′, D′, A″, B″, D″, E″, F″, A′″, B′″, D′″, E′″, and F′″ is independently selected from the group consisting of CH₂, CHOH, CHCH₂OH, CHCH₃, CHCOOH, CHOCOR¹⁰³, CHOCH₃, CHC(CH₃)₂OH, and

where R¹⁰³ is selected from the group consisting of

and (ii) where f′, g′, x′ and y′ are independently selected from zero or 1. In the structure depicted above, the oxygen heteroatom of a monosaccharide ring is in an ortho position relative to the other saccharide substitutions. Of course, trisaccharides (or tetra-, penta-, etc-saccharides) where the where substitutions of the other saccharides are ortho/meta, ortho/para, meta/para or meta/meta relative to the oxygen of the central ring are also possible. Typically, trisaccharides (or tetra-, penta-, etc-saccharides) will be ortho/ortho, meta/meta, or ortho/meta regarding the saccharide substitutions relative to the oxygen heteroatom of a central ring.

For purposes of example, a generic structure representing an embodiment of an oligosaccharide that is a tetrasaccharide is presented below:

(i) where (a) one of A′″, B′″, D′″, E′″, and F′″ is O, (b) one of A′″, B′″, D′″, E′″, and F′″ is O, (c) one of A″, B″, D″, E″, and F″ is O, and (d) each of the rest of A′, B′, A″, B″, D″, E″, F″, A′″, B′″, D′″, E′″, F′″, A″″, B″″, D″″, E″″, and F″″ is independently selected from the group consisting of CH₂, CHOH, CHCH₂OH, CHCH₃, CHCOOH, CHOCOR¹⁰⁴, CHOCH₃, CHC(CH₃)₂OH, and

where R¹⁰⁴ is selected from the group consisting of

and (ii) where f′, g′, p′, q′, x′ and y′ are independently selected from zero or 1. In the structure depicted above, the oxygen heteroatom of a monosaccharide ring is in an ortho position relative to the other saccharide substitutions. The example of a tetrasaccharide depicted below is a branched chain saccharide. However, tetrasaccharides (or penta-, hexa, etc-saccharides) may have linear chains.

It will be understood that the structures of the saccharides presented above are examples of saccharides and that other saccharides are contemplated herein. Any compound described herein may be optionally saccharidyl substituted at any suitable position. Examples of some saccharidyl substituents are presented herein below (e.g., with regard to compounds 34-39, 41, 48, 51, 76, 77, and 90-92). However, it will be understood that similar compounds with different saccharide substitutions are contemplated herein.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

Any patent or non-patent literature cited herein is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety to the extent that it does not conflict with the disclosure presented herein.

In the detailed description above several specific embodiments of compounds, compositions, products and methods are disclosed. It is to be understood that other embodiments are contemplated and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the present disclosure. The detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense. 

1-78. (canceled)
 79. A food product comprising: at least one ingredient; at least one salt that imparts a salty taste; and at least one compound according to Formula R3:

where R¹ is H, or OH; R² and R³ are independently H, OH, or CH₂OH; X is O or CHOH; Y is C═O or CH₂; and R⁴ is C₃-C₁₂ unsaturated alkyl.
 80. The food product of claim 79, wherein R¹ is OH.
 81. The food product of claim 79, wherein R² is H.
 82. The food product of claim 79, wherein X is CHOH.
 83. The food product of claim 79, wherein Y is CH₂.
 84. The food product of claim 79, wherein R³ is H.
 85. The food product of claim 79, wherein R⁴ is a C₃ to C₇ unsaturated alkyl.
 86. The food product of claim 79, wherein R⁴ is a C₅ unsaturated alkyl.
 87. The food product of claim 79, wherein R⁴ is a C₅ alkyl with one double bond.
 88. The food product of claim 79, wherein the compound according to Formula R3 is


89. The food product of claim 79, wherein the compound according to Formula R3 is


90. A food product according to claim 79, wherein the at least one compound of Formula R3 is present in the food product in an amount sufficient to enhance a perception of saltiness of the food product.
 91. A food product according to claim 79, wherein the food product has a water content of at least about 30% by weight.
 92. A food product according to claim 79, wherein the food product is selected from the group consisting of a soup, a seasoning, and a ready-to-eat breakfast cereal.
 93. A food product comprising: at least one ingredient; at least one salt that imparts a salty taste; and at least one compound according to Formula R4:

where X is O or NH; R¹ is H, OH, or CH₂OH; R² is H or OCOR⁵, wherein R⁵ is a C₁-C₃ alkyl; and R³ is H or C₁-C₁₀ saturated or unsaturated alkyl.
 94. The food product of claim 93, wherein X is O.
 95. The food product of claim 93, wherein R¹ is OH.
 96. The food product of claim 93, wherein R² is OCOR⁵.
 97. The food product of claim 96, wherein R⁵ is CH₃.
 98. The food product of any one of claim 93, wherein R³ is C₅ to C₉ saturated or unsaturated alkyl.
 99. The food product of claim 93, wherein R³ is C₇ unsaturated alkyl.
 100. The food product of claim 93, wherein R³ is C₇ alkyl with one double bond.
 101. The food product of claim 93, wherein the compound according to Formula R4 is


102. The food product of claim 93, wherein X is NH.
 103. The food product of claim 93, wherein R¹ and R² are both H.
 104. The food product of claim 93, wherein R³ is H.
 105. The food product of claim 93, wherein the compound according to Formula R4 is


106. A food product according to claim 93, wherein the at least one compound of Formula R4 is present in the food product in an amount sufficient to enhance a perception of saltiness of the food product.
 107. A food product according to claim 93, wherein the food product has a water content of at least about 30% by weight.
 108. A food product according to claim 93, wherein the food product is selected from the group consisting of a soup, a seasoning, and a ready-to-eat breakfast cereal.
 109. A food product comprising: at least one ingredient; at least one salt that imparts a salty taste; and at least one compound according to formula R1:

where R¹ is OH, or saccharidyl; R² and R³ are independently H, OH, and COOH; and R⁴ is C₃-C₁₄ saturated or unsaturated alkyl optionally substituted with one or more hydroxyls, wherein the at least one compound of formula R1 is present in the food product in an amount sufficient to enhance a perception of saltiness of the food product.
 110. A food product comprising: at least one ingredient; at least one salt that imparts a salty taste; and at least one compound according to formula R1:

where R¹ is OH or saccharidyl; R² and R³ are independently H, OH, and COOH; and R⁴ is C₃-C₁₀ saturated or unsaturated alkyl optionally substituted with one or more hydroxyls.
 111. A food product comprising: at least one ingredient; at least one salt that imparts a salty taste; and a compound having the following structure


112. A food product comprising: at least one ingredient; at least one salt that imparts a salty taste; and at least one compound according to formula R2:

where A is (CH₂)_(x), where x is 0 or 1; R² and R³ are independently H, OH, and COOH; R⁴ is C₈-C₁₆ saturated or unsaturated alkyl optionally substituted with one or more hydroxyls; and R⁵ is saccharidyl. 